MPTC Cosmetology Supports Breast Cancer Patients

So many lives are affected by cancer.  Karen Jo Dobyns is a four year survivor!  In October of 2014, Dobyns, a Fond du Lac Realtor, was diagnosed with Malignant Breast Cancer, and had to have a total mastectomy.

The surgeons’ office gave Karen a beautiful “Necessities Bag” stocked with personal care items; over-sized t-shirts for after surgery, personal supplies, hand-made pillows for protection of the surgical area, a special strap for hanging drain bags during showering, Kleenex, lip gloss, bandages, and so much more. The booklet inside the bag contained helpful suggestions by previous “survivors” – how to get ready, how to prepare a home for after surgery, and that the feelings and concerns a patient has are completely normal.

Necessities Bags of Wisconsin are put together by volunteers, with supplies made possible only through donations.  Karen Jo wanted to help, so along with her friends at First Weber Real Estate, she started her own annual fundraiser, “Bags for Bags plus Scarves.”  Raising over $30,000 in the past 4 years, Dobyns and her crew of First Weber agents collect “gently used” purses and scarves, which they sell at the event. At each event, they have displayed over 1,000 purses, and well over 1,000 scarves!