HONESDALE, PA — Hoping to turn around what was described as “an alarming rate” of breast cancer mortality in Wayne County, women turned out for the October 2 proclamation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Wayne, by the county commissioners. Lisa Champeau of Wayne Memorial Hospital said the recognition and the upcoming “Puttin’ on the Pink” day on October 10 are to highlight women’s health and bring mammography services to more women. Champeau said 100% of proceeds from the sale of $5 pink lapel ribbons will benefit the hospital auxiliary’s initiative to fund a mobile mammography van to bring services to women who cannot easily come in for hospital services. Melissa Rickard said she was there because she was diagnosed on her 37th birthday. She said, “the key is early detection… and alarming statistics in Wayne show women being diagnosed in the later stages of the disease.” Champeau said statistics vary from year to year, but Wayne County recently was 17th highest in the state in breast cancer mortality.