Greencastle gets an October ‘Field of Pink’

Pink flags fluttering in the breeze appeared Oct. 1 in the vacant space behind Orrstown Bank. Thousands of them. In fact, 7,282.

“That represents the one in eight Franklin County women who may be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes,” explained Janet Lung, executive director of Breast Cancer Awareness - Cumberland Valley.

Her non-profit organization, based in Hagerstown, Md., put flags in three towns in three states, to make a visual statement about the prevalence of breast cancer. Volunteers also planted a Field of Pink at the Hagerstown Elks Club, and at Martin’s in Martinsburg, W. Va. That made for 20,000 staked flags.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

BCA-CV provides support and services in Franklin and Fulton counties in Pennsylvania, western Maryland and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Its motto is that no one has to face breast cancer alone.

“The three of us in the office are survivors,” Lung added. Some of the 25 helpers in Greencastle were also cancer survivors, which gave them “a sisterhood,” she said.

Rachel Grimm, Orrstown branch executive officer, gladly gave the organization permission to decorate the open space on South Antrim Way.

Joyce Elliott, a member of the BCA-CV board of directors, lives in the adjoining neighborhood, and invited friends and neighbors to help with the project.

“I want the Greencastle community to be more aware and thought this might make a very powerful statement,” she said.

Joann Williams participated. She also volunteered with BCA-CV and felt it was important to get the word out.

Pat Shaffer and her daughter Lisa Summers put their share of flags into the ground.

“We like to do community service and thought this would be fun,” Shaffer said.

Robert and Carolyn Kendle spent their evening with the group. “It’s something nice,” he said.

Grimm saw the results when she arrived at work Thursday morning.

“It’s beautiful. I’m really glad they picked us. It’s very touching,”