October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and McLeod Medical Center Dillon is honoring survivors with a piece of its history.
In November 2000, an American Cancer Society representative presented a Lunch and Learn program at Saint Eugene Medical Center entitled “Cancer Facts for Dillon County.”
One fact presented to the group was that Dillon County had the highest mortality rate from breast cancer in the state of South Carolina. This shocking statistic motivated a group of concerned Dillon County citizens to form the Breast Cancer Task Force of Saint Eugene Medical Center.

The task force wanted to honor breast cancer survivors in Dillon County, and the idea of a pink patchwork quilt was adopted. All of the county’s breast cancer survivors, with their consent, would be honored with their names on the quilt. After its completion, the quilt was to be displayed at various businesses around the county as a visual reminder that early detection is the key to survival.
Pam King, a task force committee member and a breast cancer survivor, took on the quilt as a personal project. She knew a group of women who loved to quilt, and presented the idea to them. Immediately, the quilters of the Pyerian Church Helping Hands and the Floyddale Fire Department volunteered to make the quilt, using materials generously donated to them.
After diligent work, the quilt was presented to Saint Eugene Hospital in October 2001 in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The beautiful quilt, embroidered with the slogan “A Cure in Our Lifetime – Dillon County,” was displayed in Saint Eugene’s dining room for visitors and staff to enjoy.
Years later, in 2015, the pink patchwork quilt was discovered in a cabinet in the hospital, since renamed McLeod Medical Center Dillon.
Christine Carmichael, Auxiliary Member, said “We would like to see someone enjoy this masterpiece.” The quilt is currently displayed in the Pink Dogwood Gift Shop located in McLeod Medical Center Dillon. The Auxiliary will hold a drawing for this keepsake quilt during their October 2016 meeting. All proceeds will be used to support the Auxiliary’s annual scholarships.  Survivor Pam King, a McLeod Medical Center Dillon employee recalls, “The idea was for this quilt to be a symbolic reminder for women to practice breast self-examinations and to have regular mammograms