NEDERLAND — Employees at Philpott Motors in Nederland donned their pink, some in tutus, as they stepped up to cancer on Tuesday.

Employees showed their physical and financial commitment to the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Program by collectively taking 5,405 steps reflective of their donation to the program.

“Today is very special as we honor cancer survivors with a donation of $5,405 to the Gift of Life and walk the 5,405 steps,” Philpott Motors General Manager Bob Thewman said. “We are walking a lot of steps to show Philpott fights back against cancer.”

Step exercise equipment was placed in the showroom as 14 employees did their part. Deanna Miller, a 14-year-employee, was happy to take part in the stepping and the donation.

“It’s a big part of who we are here,” Miller said. “We believe in supporting the community any way we can and this shows our willingness to help with a great cause.”

Off to the side Lori Odom, a breast cancer survivor from Vidor, watched the group.

Gift of Life Program Services Manager Christina Morris, left, poses for a photo with breast cancer survivors Ernestine Anderson of Sour Lake, and Lori Odom of Vidor at Philpott Motors in Nederland on Tuesday.
Mary Meaux/The News

Through the Gift of Life’s Women’s Health Program Odom was able to receive a mammogram and subsequent ultrasound and biopsy. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2014 and is cancer free as of July 20, 2015.

“This (Step Up to Cancer) means people here care enough to donate and help us and give us a chance,” Odom said. “It’s people like this that fund the Gift of Life Program and give us a chance at life.”

Odom and fellow cancer survivor Earnestine Anderson of Sour Lake took time to pose for photos with Philpott employees and Gift of Life employees.

Since 2013, Philpott Motors has annually supported the Gift of Life Women’s Health Program which provides uncompensated healthcare services throughout seven southeast Texas counties including the provision for free clinical breast exams, mammograms and diagnostic testing, when needed, according to information from Gift of Life.

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