Artistic event to benefit cancer organization
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Denise Urban loves all things paper, including a book on craft ideas and homemade paper from Florence, Italy. She is using her passion to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Cumberland Valley.

Some people collect coins, some dolls, some John Deere tractors. And then there is Denise Urban. She collects paper.

The good stuff. Some handmade. Most of it unique. Often artistic. Probably expensive.

"I love anything paper," she said. "I love to write, and what do you use for that? Paper."

So she collects paper and travels great lengths to find unusual samples. She branched into making journals and themed books, including the covers. She has craft books to guide her through projects. She also collects inkwells and typewriters. And she doesn't think she is out of the ordinary.

"A lot of people like paper and hoard it."

Now she is using her contacts in the creative world to sponsor an event to raise money for the fight against cancer. A four-year survivor of breast cancer herself, Urban is hosting a Scrap, Stamp and Art Festival Sat., Nov. 3 at the Rescue Hose Company Spe- cial Events Center. Some of the proceeds will go to Breast Cancer Awareness-Cumberland Valley.

Michele Charles from Oklahoma will be the guest instructor. She has been on DIY The Craft Lab, written a multitude of books on crafting such as beading, stamping and cardmaking, and conducts workshops across the country.

Other vendors will have supplies and lessons on scrapbooking, photography, calligraphy and quilting from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cancer awareness advocate

Urban's cancer was found with a mammogram before it even hit Stage 1. Her physician took out some lymph nodes and she went through chemotherapy and radiation. Through it all, she remained positive and found support in her family and friends.

Now she gives back. She joined Breast Cancer Awareness Cumberland Valley based in Hagerstown, Md.

Said Urban, "They are a support group with the motto 'So you don't have to face cancer alone.'"

The organization provides free mammograms and ultrasounds for those who cannot afford them, wigs and head coverings, meals during treatment, assistance after surgery, and an Angel Program. That matches someone with cancer to a survivor for personal contact. BCA-CV reaches out to women in Franklin County as well as Washington County and into West Virginia.

Urban, 53, brought one of their activities into Greencastle. For two years she has, with assistance from husband Jim, tied pink ribbons on the downtown parking meters in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Her outreach is important to her.

"It's a good feeling to help someone else. But I give people heck if I find out they haven't had a mammogram," she said.