A circle of friends is key to navigating breast cancer, according to Deb Jayne.
The founder and president of The Booby Trap Foundation said support from her friends and resources in her community kept her fighting after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.
The nonprofit organized Paint the Town Pink For a Purpose, a two-part breast cancer awareness event in Leesburg on Thursday and Saturday to help raise awareness about community resources. The event kicked off the community’s Pinktober for a Purpose, a monthlong celebration in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“We wanted this to be a family affair,” Jayne said. “You definitely need a circle of people — small or large — around you when you’re going through something like breast cancer. This event is meant to be a gathering to form that circle and to let people know they’re not alone if they’re going through any kind of cancer.”
During the first half of the event, a crowd of people gathered at Towne Square Park in Leesburg
on Oct. 1, despite a brief downpour minutes before its start. Speakers shared their stories, The Booby Trap Foundation and local Rotary Club members passed around glow sticks and pink bracelets, and the city was lit up in pink lights.
Jayne said her goal was to give people dealing with difficult circumstances a space to just have fun.
“I just feel very strongly about bringing the whole community together to have fun,” she said. “We are a small town, but interestingly and oddly enough, I still find there’s new people to include in my circle.”
Paul King, of Wildwood, took the stage to lead the audience in a prayer followed by a moment of silence. He broke the silence by sharing his story of caring for his wife, Dawn, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February. King offered three pieces of advice he said were key in supporting his wife’s journey and explained the experience led the pair to create Home Instead, a Leesburg home health care service.
“First, you have to be an active listener,” he said. “When you are meeting with the doctors, be engaged and ask questions — don’t be intimidated. Second, it’s important to be present with your loved one. It’s not simply being beside them, you have to be present emotionally and work to understand what your loved one is going through. Third, walk together with your loved one in every moment you can.”
King was followed by Ingrid Warren, community relations manager for Orlando Health, introducing Dr. Yana Puckett, an oncologist with Orlando Health.
“One in eight women will develop breast cancer,” Puckett said. “Early detection can really change everything for the better. Women who are 40 and above should get annual mammograms because it can save your life.”
In Lake County, 454 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, according to the Florida Health of Department.
“Events like this remind us just how much our community cares,” said Leesburg Commissioner Alan Reisman before flipping the switch for the lights around the trees and water fountain in Towne Square Park to turn the city pink.
The second half of Paint the Town Pink For a Purpose event took place Oct. 3 at the Venetian Center, and included a 1-mile fun walk, a vendor market, educational presentation from medical professionals and a morning praise concert.
Jayne said she hopes the event fosters a sense of action, compassion, hope and education. During both days, attendees could buy merchandise, chance drawing tickets or make donations to The Booby Trap Foundation. Money raised will go toward helping breast cancer patients and survivors in Lake and Sumter counties. The nonprofit provides financial assistance related to treatment, post-mastectomy comfort and recovery items, and connects patients with other community services.
For more information about The Booby Trap Foundation, visit theboobytrapfoundation.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
