It is often said that cancer affects every one of us, directly or indirectly, and whether it is our own battle or a battle being fought by someone very close to us, so when Scott Honda of West Chester recently decided to make a $2,000 donation to the Chester County-based Unite for HER organization, it came as little surprise to anyone at the dealership.

Six months ago, Scott Honda employee Douglas Parisano received a clean bill of health after being diagnosed with Leukemia three-and-a-half years ago. Service manager Bob Nigra's brother-in-law has had two surgeries for brain cancer, and owner Duke Scott's sister and mother have both overcome breast cancer and are now in good health.

“When we were deciding as a group at our September meting which organization we would partner with, several of our employees came to us and said that Unite for HER would be the perfect recipient,” Scott said. “It makes us feel good that what we do is not just about selling a great product. It's about sharing our good fortune with other members of our community.”

Begun by West Chester resident Sue Weldon in 2009, Unite for HER is a non-profit organization that partners with 14 area hospitals in providing local women living with breast cancer the access to resources like nutrition, acupuncture, massage, yoga and counseling, in order to enhance their wellness and care for their emotional, spiritual and physical needs.

“This donation will go directly to our wellness programs, and will allow women to receive $2,000 worth of vouchers that they can use to help in their healing,” Weldon said. “Partnering with Scott Honda is really about families. Duke knows full well the impact that cancer can have on a family. He knows our mission, and he and his staff have helped us be able to promote that mission to so many women in our community.”

For more information about Unite for HER, visit www.uniteforher.org.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, e-mail [email protected].