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After Anchorage - and New York-based filmmaker Mary Katzke was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, she has moved to produce a documentary that could help other women through the frightening days between diagnosis and treatment.
Now Ms Katzke is a breast-cancer survivor and the film, "Between Us," is winding its way home with women from all over Alaska with breast cancer.
The video is included in an information kit that includes a resource guide to breast cancer services, a prepaid phone card for long-distance calls to family and friends, a pen and notebook, an aromatic candle, serenity tea, bath lotion, tissue - small pieces that add up to a big show of support to someone whose world is suddenly uncertain.
Along the way, Ms. Katzke's efforts have inspired individuals, health-care providers, organizations and businesses to get involved too.
The Alaska Run for Women provided the money to buy items for the kits. A card that accompanies each kit acknowledge host of other contributors: GAP, GCI, Com-Cast Communications, National Bank of Alaska, Original ATU Yellow Pages, Sea-Land Inc., Nye Toyota and Nye Ford, ME Graphics, Robert G. Thompson M.D., Alaska Herb and Tea Co., PenAir, Northern Air Cargo, Alaska Airlines, ERA Aviation, Kinkos, D'Florist.
It took six years of film work and fund-raising to bring "Between Us" to life. But it only took an hour and 47 minutes last Sunday for 28 volunteers, mostly women, and a few men and children, too, to assemble 200 packages, labeled "a first aid kit for your heart and soul."
Ms. Katzke's friend Janet Burts, who's a fund-raiser and coordinator for the project, brought most of her family to help; two sisters, her young daughters, her nephew and her husband. One woman, herself diagnosed with the disease a month ago and undergoing chemotherapy, came to give her time.
Alaskan women are only the first to reap the benefits of Ms. Katzke's inspired idea. Ms. Burts says there are plans to take the project nationwide.
In Anchorage, Providence Imaging Center, Alaska Regional Hospital, Alaska Native Medical Center, Elmendorf Air Force Base and Dr. Roland Gower's office, are giving the kits away.
Each kit costs about $50. Because of the dedication and generosity of many Alaskans, women with breast cancer get to take the kits home with them for free.
In "Between Us," breast-cancer survivors tell their stories. Those who have beaten cancer can provide the message women newly diagnosed with breast cancer most need to hear: There is hope.
And the women need to know that they have the support of others. When they're given a gift that says "This kit was packaged with loving hearts and hands of volunteers," that support is clear.
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