Dealing with cancer is unpleasant, to say the least, but two Elmwood Park employees say they made it through the experience together — and with the support of the local police department.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, an auspicious marker for Maggie Warchulski and her friend Agnieszka “Agnes” Tercjak. Both were diagnosed with breast cancer in fall 2014.
Warchulski works as a records clerk for Elmwood Park Police Department, while Tercjak is a school crossing guard in the village. They’ve been friends for more than 15 years.
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They say they’ve relied on each other a lot for support this year as both went through surgery, chemotherapy and the mental anguish that comes with the disease.
One bright spot in their fight was when they found out a simple pink ribbon decal had been placed on the department’s police cars, as a show of support for women with breast cancer.
“I love it,” Warchulski said. “It means so much for me and everybody. I think it’s a great symbol. It was really nice of them.”
Tercjak said she appreciates the gesture as well.
“It makes us feel that we’re not forgotten, because everybody knows what that means,” Tercjak said.
Elmwood Park Deputy Police Chief Andrew Hock said adding the symbol to the department’s police vehicles was simply the right thing to do.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Hock said. “I think it’s important for everybody on the force to come together in solidarity and support this cause. It should be everyone’s No. 1 priority.”
Warchulski said that over the past year, she’s shed many tears. Although the cancer is no longer detectable, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t come back. Tercjak feels the same way, and takes yoga and meditation classes to deal with the pressures of the unknown in terms of her health.
Both say that family support and support from each other has made dealing with their cancers more bearable.
“It’s been a tough year, lets hope the next one will be better,” Warchulski said. “It’s hard and it is always going to be, but we will fight to the end.”
Twitter: @DavidDPollard