Breast Cancer Survivors Needed to Build a Brighter Future

"As a breast cancer survivor, I am happy to be alive..."

Dr. Sheron Patterson is looking for some 200 breast cancer survivors and their families to join her in building a Habitat for Humanity home with a very special purpose. Dr. Patterson wants to use the special build to raise awareness and money to provide mammograms for low-income women in North Texas and for Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.

The project "BREAST CANCER BUILDS" is the vision of Dr. Patterson, herself a breast cancer survivor. This special build is being made possible by the Highland Park United Methodist Church/Carpenters for Christ, in partnership with Dallas Habitat. Dr. Patterson's goal is to provide 1000 mammograms in 2008 for low-income women.

"As a breast cancer survivor, I am happy to be alive. I do not take for granted each second that I have been given," said Dr. Patterson. "I want to demonstrate my gratitude by gathering at least 200 other breast cancer survivors and building a home for a deserving family, hopefully a breast cancer survivor." Breast cancer survivors who would like to apply to own the home, that will be located in the area of Bonnieview and Loop 12, will need to meet certain qualifications and should contact www.dallas-habitat.org or call 214-678-2300.

"It isn't often that the Church and our Carpenters for Christ ministry are able to score twice in the same motion. With this home we will be able to house a very deserving family and to contribute to the cause for breast cancer prevention and early detection," according to Joe B. Fortson, HPUMC Outreach Administrator.

This Habitat home will be built over eight Saturdays between March 1, 2008 and May 10, 2008. Breast cancer survivors who want to help build the house and/or raise funds for the project should contact Dr. Patterson at www.drsheron.com or call 972- 225-1096.

About Dr. Sheron Patterson: Dr. Sheron C. Patterson created a radio, print and television education/inspiration campaign to help others face their health issues head on. She is now an enthusiastic health and wellness advocate and the driving force behind The Patterson Pledge, a program that motivates thousands to take control of their health. In 2007 Dr. Patterson joined forces with Methodist Health Care System to reach an even broader audience. Via an interactive website, the Patterson Pledge offers online encouragement via pod casts and columns. She is the author of eight books and has been featured on CNN and in Jet magazine. Dr. Patterson is the Senior Pastor of Highland Hills United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas.

About Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity: Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry that builds quality, affordable homes in partnership with deserving families. Habitat's homeownership program is an innovative model that offers low-income families the opportunity to own a home with affordable 0% interest loans. Homes are financed by generous donations from community supporters and largely built by the partner Habitat family with thousands of dedicated volunteers each year. Dallas Area Habitat has invested $50 million dollars in 20 Dallas county neighborhoods to create 600 new homes, new hope and new communities.

About Highland Park United Methodist Church/Carpenters for Christ: Highland Park United Methodist Church initiated its Carpenters for Christ ministry in 1996 to partner with Habitat for Humanity in building homes in Dallas for the working poor. Since then the Church has completed 52 Habitat homes and has become the largest sponsor for Habitat for Humanity among individual churches in the world. In the process the ministry has involved, among other things, approximately 7,000 different individuals who have donated 120,000 volunteer hours to Habitat and its families.