LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but local organizations like Kentucky Cancerlink spend much of their time all year helping cancer patients.

Amy Dougherty is a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 2012. She used the services of Kentucky Cancerlink, and she couldn’t be more thankful for their support.

“I’m 10 years out, and that’s a huge celebration. I was on meds for a decade, and I’ve been able to function very well with those. I’m so grateful for life and being able to count myself as a cancer survivor,” Dougherty said.

Kentucky Cancerlink is a nonprofit organization and a resource for many patients in the state. The executive director, Melissa Karrer, knows the journey well. She, too, is a breast cancer survivor.

“The thing that helps our whole team feel like we’re making a difference is when women specifically can come in when they’re feeling down in this position of going through this diagnosis, and we can provide these items such as prostheses, bras, wigs, and other items at no cost to them,” Karrer said.

No matter what type of cancer it is, the goal is to show the patient that there is a support system.

“We’re able to see the transition from fear and worry to joy and hope. That honestly is healing for me as a survivor to be able to experience that. It’s very rewarding for our team,” Karrer said.

Ask any survivor like Dougherty, who will say keeping loved ones close is a crucial step in recovery.

“I think it’s a message to take things one step at a time, one day at a time, and to be sure that you have your friends around you. People have been incredibly helpful. My church community, my law firm area community, and it’s so helpful to help me know that I had support,” Dougherty said.

Kentucky Cancerlink always takes donations of items like wigs and bras. They’re located on Regency Road in Lexington.