Piedmont Macon honors community hero helping breast cancer patients

Local woman recognized for creating thousands of recovery pouches for patients

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- A Middle Georgia woman is being recognized for making a difference in the lives of others.

Piedmont Macon announced its latest Community Hero Award recipient, continuing a tradition that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The award was created to recognize individuals who serve others, often behind the scenes, and to bring awareness to their impact in the community.

“It was born out of the pandemic when the community supported us as their heroes and we saw that there was a lot of other heroes out in the community that wasn’t being recognized and we decided to put this award in place to not only recognize them but raise awareness to the things that they were doing for hopes that more of the community would support them,” said Steve Daugherty, CEO of Piedmont Macon.

This year’s honoree is Jo Turner.

Turner creates specialized pouches for women recovering from breast cancer surgery. The pouches are designed to help patients manage post-surgery drains, allowing them to go about their daily routines with more comfort and independence.

Turner says her inspiration came from her own experience.

“I feel grateful I’m only doing what others have done before me, and I enjoy sewing and it’s something I can do at my own pace,” said Turner.

According to Turner, she has made more than 5,500 pouches over the last four and a half years.

The Community Hero Award also includes a 500 dollar donation, which recipients can give to a charity of their choice.