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PLAINS TWP. — It’s not only been a busy weekend for Candy’s Place, it’s been a busy year too.

The cancer wellness center in Forty Fort followed its BRWalk around Harveys Lake Saturday with a fashion show and lunch Sunday. The fundraisers for the non-profit organization drew close to 700 people combined, but the real surprise has been the demand for services at its Welles Street center.

Chris Ostroski, director of the center, said last year 94 people and caregivers participated in the services ranging from meditation and yoga to massage therapy and education. To date this year, 98 people are participating.

“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in the amount of patients that we have. I don’t think it’s that there’s more cancer, because statistically the cancer is lowering. But I think more people are now aware of the services that we provide at Candy’s Place because of events like this,” Ostroski said.

The 6th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon was held at the Woodlands Inn & Resort with some of the patients as models. They also joined family members and friends for the special occasion.

“It’s a great way to celebrate people during their cancer battle and kind of forget about cancer for a day,” Ostroski said.

One of them was Debbie Mack, 50, of Edwardsville. She also modeled for the show.

“I haven’t done this before so I don’t know anything about it,” Mack said.

She wasn’t as much at ease going to Candy’s Place at first.

“I was very apprehensive after my diagnosis to go and attend,” she said. But after visiting her attitude changed so much so that she and her husband Gary rave about the services.

“I would do anything for them,” she said.

“We love Candy’s Place. We will forever be part of the Candy’s Place family,” he said.

Men and women patients can attend free while undergoing treatment and for a year afterward. Mack is unable to go to a gym for strength training because of her weakened immune system and the exposure to germs She works with a personal trainer at Candy’s Place.

“It’s amazing. We’re so fortunate that these things are available to us,” she said.

Overwhelmed with caring for her mother who underwent surgery out of town for breast cancer, Debra Cwalina of Swoyersville recalled crying when she went to Candy’s Place for help.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Cwalina said.

The staff put her ease and her mother Lorraine still goes to the center for exercise and other services. “She’s been healthy for four years now,” Cwalina said.

The daughter has learned from the experience and she and other family members have taken additional steps because of the type of cancer her mother was diagnosed with. “It also led us to genetic testing,” Cwalina said.

She joined with the Macks and others in support of the center and spread the word about it.

“When people need help they need help, said Frank Boheneck of Tunkhannock. He ventured over to the gift baskets atop a string of tables against a wall and proceeded to place tickets in containers with the hope of his number being called as the prizes were raffled off.

He said a friend of a friend has cancer and he lost a son, father and brother-in-law to the disease.

“It can hit you so hard,” Boheneck said.

Frank and Jaxon Pikul walk the catwalk wearing the color associated with Renal Cancer. Frank is a survivor of renal cancer and the family is very active, raising awareness and money for the fight.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL072715candysplace1.jpg.optimal.jpgFrank and Jaxon Pikul walk the catwalk wearing the color associated with Renal Cancer. Frank is a survivor of renal cancer and the family is very active, raising awareness and money for the fight. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Penny Cunningham announces Pasquale “Pat” Nicolino to the stage during the Candy’s Place Fashion Show.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL072715candysplace2.jpg.optimal.jpgPenny Cunningham announces Pasquale “Pat” Nicolino to the stage during the Candy’s Place Fashion Show. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Maureen Leone walks the runway at the Candy’s Place fashion show.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_TTL072715candysplace3.jpg.optimal.jpgMaureen Leone walks the runway at the Candy’s Place fashion show. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Jerry Lynott

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Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLNews.