Pictured are Jennifer Merritt,
Judith Melchreit and Betsy Sommers, all of Team Towanda,
Jodi Rell - Lt. Governor, Pam Sawyer - State Representative.
Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell has presented
a Connecticut Treasures award to five
women, two from Glastonbury and three from Wethersfield,
who formed a
grassroots organization to support women with breast cancer.
When Judith Melchreit of Wethersfield
was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, her girlfriends
banded together to provide Melchreit's family with hot meals
during her surgery, chemotherapy and recovery. They recruited
about 80 women into Team Towanda - named after a fictitious
female warrior – to keep Melchreit's family fed and
her spirits up.
Following her treatment, Melchreit
and Wethersfield residents Betsy
Sommers and Monica Godbout and Glastonbury residents Jennifer
Merritt and Susan Bernis published "The Charge of the
Casserole Cavalry: The Official Towanda Cookbook" to
raise money for breast cancer research and to provide guidance
and support to women facing the disease.
Since February, the book has
sold more than 4,000 copies. Proceeds from
each $15 book help pay for mammograms and other breast-related
services for medically underinsured women in the Hartford
area.
"In just a short period
of time, the five women who make up Team Towanda have made
a profound impact on thousands of lives," Rell said.
"They cooked up a novel idea for raising money for
breast cancer awareness and treatment, and they must be
applauded for their work."
Rell presented the award Monday
at the Ginger & Pickles Restaurant at 113 Hebron Ave.
Rell gives out two Connecticut
Treasures awards to individual and group
volunteers whose efforts have improved life in the state. |
