MONROE — As Justice for a Cure founder and cancer survivor Joan Kamholz continuously looks for ways to locally raise awareness for cancer, she simply couldn’t let World Cancer Day pass by without thinking of something new. 

To celebrate the occasion, Kamholz will mark more than just the day — and instead has set up a pop-up shop inside Monroe Medical Supply, 1015 16th Ave. on the west side of the Square where people can stop in to learn about Justice for a Cure and purchase some of the fundraising items they offer. 

“People were asking me how they could get some of our stuff,” Kamholz said. “Monroe Medical Supply has been a big supporter of us. It’s a great spot here.”

World Cancer Day is an international day celebrated on Feb. 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. 

The large windows in the front of the business help showcase the items for sale during the month of February. Justice for a Cure items will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in February. 

The items all celebrate cancer in some way. Logo items include t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, scarves, polos and more. Many of the items are handmade and include keychains, mittens, home décor, jewelry and others. 

“Almost all of the people (who make things) have either a police background or they’re survivors,” Kamholz said. “The support is tremendous.”

This isn’t the first year Kamholz has celebrated World Cancer Day. For years she has been inside local and area schools where students help make cancer ribbons to brighten the spirits of those who are fighting. 

Several businesses in the community support Kamholz and her efforts, and she’s grateful. Chocolate Temptations is offering chocolate ribbons to help celebrate and several other businesses have reached out willing to help lend a hand in one way or another. 

“I couldn’t do this without the help of others,” Kamholz said. “This community is just phenomenal.” 

But it isn’t just Monroe. Kamholz said several area schools have come on board, asking to make ribbons and she said it means a lot when the students want to do it. When she hears how it starts a conversation among children — and they can share about how cancer has touched their lives — it warms her heart. 

“It keeps growing and growing,” she said. 

The group plans to place ribbons around the Square and Monroe to help raise awareness for World Cancer Day in February. 

Kamholz began Justice for a Cure after learning she had breast cancer just before retiring after 30 years in law enforcement. The group is actively involved in raising awareness and now runs two local cancer support groups — one for breast cancer and another for all types of cancer. 

There will also be a limited supply of items available in Brodhead at Expressions Salon, 1107 W. 2nd Ave.

All proceeds go to cancer research and cancer support programs. The nonprofit group raises money to benefit cancer research through the UW Carbone Cancer Research Center as well as the Mayo Cancer Center. It also helps cancer programs including Heaven Can Wait Program-JFOC; Project 30ne, Oklahoma; Susan G. Komen; Breast Cancer Recovery; Monroe Clinic & Hospital Foundation; The Dawn Lengel Memorial Cancer Support Group-JFOC; and The Sandy Bowen Memorial Cancer Support Group-JFAC. They also support children’s programs including Camp Kesem; Angel On My Shoulder; Squad Car Project-JFAC; Ribbon Project/World Cancer Day; and Ronald McDonald House. The group’s entire staff and board of directors entirely donate their time.

To learn more about World Cancer Day or Justice for a Cure, email justiceforacure@gmail.com or visit www.justiceforacure.org.