When Megan Sauder Ralston began undergoing treatment for breast cancer in 2016 at the age of 29, she noticed that young women like herself with the disease did not receive the support older women did. "Some insurance companies' coverage required you to be 40 for some benefits," said Megan's sister Jacquelyn Iannello, who founded Thrive and Grit, an organization that supports cancer patients in a number of ways.

Megan, who was raised in Manheim Township and attended Lancaster Mennonite School, was living in Virginia when she was first diagnosed with pregnancy-related breast cancer before her son was a year old. She received treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas and at Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute before succumbing to the disease in November of 2018. Before she died, she began Megan's Fund, which helps give women under age 40 access to mammograms and other early detection tools and helps with financial issues.

While Megan was undergoing treatment in Charlottesville, Va., where she lived when she was first diagnosed, she received a goodie bag. "She said, 'We could do that,'" recalled Jacquelyn, a teacher at St. Peter's Preschool, 10 Delp Road, Lancaster. Working with Heather Cramer, director of the preschool, Jacquelyn is collecting items to fill the Pink Packages that Thrive and Grit now distributes regularly at the Cancer Institute - sometimes giving out as many as 600 in a month. Items currently being accepted at the preschool include lip balm, soft socks, journals, granola bars, candy, gum, hand soap, hand lotions, and hand sanitizer. Gloves, hats, scarves, blankets, and encouraging books will also be accepted.

In addition, Thrive and Grit is holding a soup sale through the end of November. Food items available for sale are squash soup, chili, broccoli cheese soup, and blueberry and strawberry bread. Individuals who would like to purchase food items may text 717-413-4757 or email thriveandgrit@gmail.com. Soup is sold by the quart with croutons, and bread is sold in mini loaves. Funds raised will be donated to metastatic breast cancer research and to support those battling the disease.

Megan's mother, Bonnie Sauder, noted that her other daughter, Candi Sauder King, and son, John Patrick Sauder, and other family members are also involved in fundraising for Thrive and Grit. Bonnie said that past fundraisers have included a fall car show. She also mentioned a catered meal for the staff of the Cancer Institute that is held each December. "It was Megan's idea to every Christmas have a thank you meal for all the staff at Ann B. Barshinger," said Jacquelyn, who noted that at the dinner staff members speak about new things that are happening at the Cancer Institute.

Readers who have questions about dropping items at the preschool may email Heather.cramer@stpeterslutheran.org or call 717-569-9211.