The weather could not have been better for the recent installation of a new roof in Pottstown by Berks County-based Bachman’s Roofing & Solar.
The company donated the roof to breast cancer survivor Teri Jensen-Sellers in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The donation was meant to alleviate the financial burden of replacing her family’s roof and to raise awareness of the disease.
“Breast cancer affects so many — 140,000 women here in Pennsylvania — that we felt it was important to do our part in supporting those impacted by the disease,” said Jere Geib, marketing director for Bachman’s Roofing.
A four-man crew descended on the Pottstown home of Jensen-Sellers and her family this month, installing 1,448 square feet of shingles on the Victorian home through the course of the one-day installation. The value of the installation was estimated at nearly $17,000, according to Geib.
“Every time we give back it’s meaningful, but this job was extra special because we were helping a community member while also raising awareness about breast cancer,” he said.
Sellers-Jensen was referred to Bachman’s by the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, after asking if she would like to be considered. The call came at a good time, she said, because the roof on her home was 15 years old. Jensen-Sellers said she and her husband had started to talk about the need to replace the roof and how they were going to manage it financially.
After answering questions from a representative from Bachman’s, she found out she was named the recipient.
“This is extremely generous, and I am just really grateful,” Jensen-Sellers said, adding that the installation lifts a big worry “and allows me to focus on building a brighter future for my family.”
Jensen-Sellers is a wife and mother of two-teenaged sons. She was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ in late 2020 following routine testing. During treatment, she required five operations and faced infections and other complications. She also needed to take time off from her job as an adjunct college professor.
In fall 2021, Jensen-Sellers went into remission.
“I am doing really well. I get checked about four times a year,” she said, including a mammogram, as well as meetings with her oncologist, breast doctor and gynecologist. “Almost every season I get checked one way or another.”
She also remains in remission.
In addition to donating the roof, throughout October Bachman’s will match all donations up to $10,000 made through its page on the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s website — https://www.pabreastcancer.org/bachmans-roofing-donation-page/.
“Teri’s perseverance inspired all of us at Bachman’s, and we wanted to help ease a major burden for her family while also offering hope to those battling breast cancer,” Bachman’s Roofing chief operating officer Andrew Hudson said in a statement. “This is bigger than one roof, which is why we’re supporting the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and calling on our neighbors to join us in the fight by donating this month.”
Jensen-Sellers said she is open about her experiences because she believes advocacy is so important.
“For a year or two, whenever I would see a female friend, I would be like, ‘Have you been checked, have you gone to the doctor, have you had your mammogram this year,’ because it sneaks up on you and it’s terrifying.”
She added that she hopes her story encourages women to get screened and reminds those who are newly diagnosed that there’s hope. She said that once someone gets a diagnosis it’s important to get social support, with organizations offering care packages, meet ups and online discussion groups.
“If you’re worried in the middle of the night, you can log on and usually there’s another woman there going through the same thing. And being part of that community was extremely comforting,” she said.
This project was the first time Bachman’s had worked with the PA Breast Cancer coalition, according to Geib, although the company has worked with other breast cancer organizations in the past.
Founded in 1993 with the mission of “finding a cure now… so our daughters don’t have to,” the PA Breast Cancer Coalition represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors, thrivers and their families across the state through education, advocacy and research grants.
“This act of kindness by Bachman’s Roofing helps to cover a deserving breast cancer survivor in care, protection and hope,” PA Breast Cancer Coalition President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful to Bachman’s for understanding the true impact breast cancer can have on families across Pennsylvania.”
