Lambie's Legacy helps save local lives - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

More than 9,000 women here in Ohio will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone, but thanks to Lambie's Legacy and the ProMedica Toledo Hospital Foundation, many uninsured and underinsured women will get potentially life saving mammograms.

Margaret's nickname was Lambie and she's the sister of our own Lissa Guyton. On Thursday Lissa met one of the women who has been helped by the work of Lambie's Legacy.

You hear people say something good often comes out of tragedy and loss and Lissa says this is proof of that. Like all of her friends and family Lissa misses her sister every day, but all the good she did in her lifetime is still with us through the foundation.

Patty Hurst ignored the first tumor she found in her breast for 8 months, but after a second tumor appeared she knew she had to get help. Within days of being tested Patty was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 35, "I knew for months that something was wrong but I had no insurance so I ignored it. I had no idea there was help out there, but there was and I am so thankful for that. I had a mastectomy, I have had 8 chemotherapy treatments and I am now doing radiation and I have 33 treatments of that."

Dr. Eric Kielhorn is a Radiation Oncologist, "The earlier you catch a cancer the more likely it is to be curable. Women know their breasts best, so if they notice any changes or differences talk to a doctor about it right away."

Patty says do not put it off like she did, "Don't wait because there is help out there. I am lucky to still be alive today. No one should ever wait."

Patty is now in the middle of radiation treatments and as tough as the treatments are, moments with her five children make it all worth it. Because of chemo and radiation Patty has missed some of her daughter Kaytelin's concerts, so she loved hearing her play today, "This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.There were times where I'd say I cannot do this anymore and I still do have those days sometimes, but I have to get through it, I have kids and they need me. I have to get through it."

Patty is just one positive story coming out of Lambie's Legacy. Laurie Avery is one of the founders of Lambie's Legacy, "Lambie was such an amazing woman who did so much for our community, so we wanted to do something in her honor and we established the foundation. We all miss Lambie and when we talk about the work we're doing in her honor we all of course wish she were here with us instead, but we're able to provide these potentially lifesaving opportunities to other people because of the legacy she left us and every day we are working to follow that legacy."

After Patty finishes radiation treatments she will have a hysterectomy and a second mastectomy, but she says she is going to win this fight! By the way, the free mammograms are called Lambograms. Call 419- 291-7000 to learn more about them.