The world’s largest pink ribbon scarf on display at Tamarack near Beckley is now more than 4,000 feet long. The scarf is Tamarack’s spotlight on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Tamarack Marketing Director Cindy Whitlock says this is the third year the scarf has been on display and it’s grown each year.
"It stretches around Tamarack twice inside and the loops each year get a little bit lower, a little bit longer and a little closer together," she said.
The scarf has been added to by hundreds of West Virginia residents and travelers from outside the state who have been touched by breast cancer.
"It’s one of those things anybody and everybody can do," Whitlock said. "There’s no difficulty level to it."
But it’s more than just a scarf—it’s a story told by those who have gone through the emotions associated with cancer.
"When you think of how many thoughts and prayers and moments of meditation are taken with every man and woman who works on that piece of traditional American handcraft—it’s become one significant visual for the breast cancer cause," Whitlock said.
Regular visitors to Tamarack, many on their way to and from vacation spots, have gotten involved with project.
"A lot of them are bringing pieces with them, they got the information last year and they are bringing it to us this year. They’ve started to look for it," Whitlock said.
The scarf project began as Terri’s Tribute scholarship fund for Terri Massey’s three children and other children who have lost parents to breast cancer.
Whitlock says one of the original goals of the projects will be realized next year.
"We will give our first scholarship in May to a young man who lost his mom to breast cancer in Fayette County," she said.