Staff photo / Bob Coupland Breast cancer survivors gathered Sunday at Boardman Township Park for a fundraiser hosted by the Apple Breast Cancer Warrior Foundation. From left are Joyce Kohler of Poland, a five-year cancer survivor; Carla White of Austintown, a five-year survivor; Liz Mackey of Liberty, a 21-year survivor; and Anna Olek of Brookfield, a two-year survivor.

BOARDMAN — Breast cancer survivors gathered Sunday to provide hope and support to each other as part of the annual Apple Breast Cancer Foundation celebration, which included pink icing cupcakes, dog Halloween costume and a cornhole tournament.

Pink balloons and decorations covered a section of Boardman Park, where the event was held. Many in attendance wore pink clothing and some sported pink hair. Michelle Apple of Boardman, event coordinator and a three-year breast cancer survivor, said everyone was encouraged to wear pink.

The cornhole tournament and other fundraising is done to raise money to help people pay medical bills, deductible and travel expenses, Apple said.

“The journey in battling cancer can be long and expensive. I have seen many younger women under 50 get breast cancer,” she said.

Judy Noel of Lisbon, a staff member of the event’s major sponsor, Bright Pet Nutrition Group, was diagnosed with breast cancer within three months of her sister’s diagnosis. Noel and sister Jody Burt of Lisbon are 10 months apart in age.

“Women need to know that they have support and this is beatable. Michelle’s organization has been wonderful to me and my sister and sent us care packages and text messages and been so supportive,” Noel said.

She said had her sister not been diagnosed first, she would not have gone in for an exam herself and probably would have died.

Apple said they reach out to women in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and parts of western Pennsylvania, including Mercer and Grove City.

Joyce Kohler of Poland said she believes it is a blessing to have so much support.

“It is so great to meet other survivors and how many years many of them have survived especially when you are newly diagnosed. I am only a five-year survivor but have met people who are 20-year survivors,” Kohler said. “We are showing people we are here, we are strong and we will keep fighting.”

Carla White of Austintown, a five-year survivor, said she likes being there for others.

“I hope I can be a blessing to others. I feel it helps others when they see me and the others and how we are survivors. They want to hear our stories. I tell them to stay positive and hold on to their faith. We can help them get through it,” White said.

Liz Mackey of Liberty, a 21-year survivor, said she was told she had less than five years to live.

“I feel I am here to help newly diagnosed women,” Mackey said.

Anna Olek of Brookfield, a two-year survivor, was handing out cupcakes.

“These women have been a huge source of inspiration for me. I am two years in and they have been here to help me,” she said,

Sam Colaluca of Youngstown brought her 17-year old Yorkshire terrier, Gizmo, to the event dressed in costume for the dog Halloween contest.

“I am having fun and so is Gizmo,” she said.

Clare Jones of Boardman, a three-year survivor of breast cancer and two-year survivor of uterine cancer, said, “I could not have done it these past three years without the support of these girls, my family and friends. They have all been so encouraging.”

Sherry Harrison of Struthers said she attended since her mother and aunt both died from breast cancer.

“I wanted to be here to help others and show my support to them,” Harrison said, placing her tickets in bags for many of the raffle items at the event.

Nearly 40 teams took to the cornhole boards in the cornhole tournament which was set up inside a large pavilion at the park.