'Circle of Friends' at Griffin in Derby applaud facilitator on award nomination

At our Circle of Friends breast cancer support group meeting Thursday at Griffin Hospital we learned co-facilitator Donna Hayes, center, was nominated for the 17th annual Women Making a Difference in the Valley Award. 

Co-facilitator Joyce Grohe, left, announced the honor for Hayes, who is oncology social worker at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.
Congratulations, Donna, on this recognition! It's certainly well-deserved.
When I snapped the photo at our annual ice cream social I didn't realize Grohe and Seymour Pink founder Mary Deming, right, also are recipients of this prestigious award for all they do in the community. 

The Tribute Luncheon and Fundraiser will be held at noon Oct. 5 at the Inn at Villa Bianca, Roosevelt Drive, Seymour. 

Sponsor opportunities and congratulatory ads in the luncheon’s souvenir program are available. 

Contact Dorothy Gandy at dott.g@comcast.net 

for sponsorship and ticket information. Proceeds are earmarked for the Valley Breast Health Care Fund, a donor-advised fund administered by the Valley Community Foundation.

Founded in 1999 with the support and leadership of Griffin Hospital, The Valley Women’s Health Initiative is comprised of members of the community working toward a goal of improving women’s health and quality of life in the Valley. 

Its primary goal is to reach out to any person who cannot afford breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging costs and enable them to receive it.