Local Business Gives Tattoos For Breast Cancer Donations
Tattoos Commemorate Personal Losses, Struggles
Updated: 5:28 pm CDT October 16, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- To honor October's status as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, one local business is putting a creative spin on raising money for a cure.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMichele Thierfelder, the owner of Accents-Tattoos By Michelle in Madison, is giving free tattoos to clients who donate anywhere from 50 dollars on up for breast cancer research."It adds up and by the end of the month, we have a very large donation to give," said Thierfelder.Thierfelder came up with the plan after a friend of hers died of cancer."I got my tattoo for my friend," said Thierfelder. "She's with me all the time, because she's here. A lot of people view it as a way that they have the person with them all the time because it's on their body."Peggy Christenson, a customer of Thierfelder's, on Saturday got a ribbon tattoo lined with purple to commemorate the loss of her father to cancer. But it is filled with pink and initials for a different reason."I'm getting a ribbon with the initials 'MDSF' and it stands for 'Mother Daughter Sister Family,'" said Christenson. "It's a good reminder for me to keep up with what I have to do."Like many in her family, Christenson battled breast cancer."My mom, my sister, my aunt, grandma and then my dad as well. We have cancer in the family," said Christenson.Many people get tattoos to commemorate things from the past, but in Christenson's case, the money spent to get the tattoo will help prevent cancer in the future.Christenson's tattoo is on her foot as a daily reminder that her loved ones are near her with every step she takes.Accents-Tattoos By Michelle's Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign has one more walk-in day, which is Friday, Oct. 31.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMichele Thierfelder, the owner of Accents-Tattoos By Michelle in Madison, is giving free tattoos to clients who donate anywhere from 50 dollars on up for breast cancer research."It adds up and by the end of the month, we have a very large donation to give," said Thierfelder.Thierfelder came up with the plan after a friend of hers died of cancer."I got my tattoo for my friend," said Thierfelder. "She's with me all the time, because she's here. A lot of people view it as a way that they have the person with them all the time because it's on their body."Peggy Christenson, a customer of Thierfelder's, on Saturday got a ribbon tattoo lined with purple to commemorate the loss of her father to cancer. But it is filled with pink and initials for a different reason."I'm getting a ribbon with the initials 'MDSF' and it stands for 'Mother Daughter Sister Family,'" said Christenson. "It's a good reminder for me to keep up with what I have to do."Like many in her family, Christenson battled breast cancer."My mom, my sister, my aunt, grandma and then my dad as well. We have cancer in the family," said Christenson.Many people get tattoos to commemorate things from the past, but in Christenson's case, the money spent to get the tattoo will help prevent cancer in the future.Christenson's tattoo is on her foot as a daily reminder that her loved ones are near her with every step she takes.Accents-Tattoos By Michelle's Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign has one more walk-in day, which is Friday, Oct. 31. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
