Ellen Standerfer is a relentless advocate.

In a time when war speculation is looming, Standerfer has maintained a steadfast focus on raising funds each October in support of the breast cancer awareness month.

Even before Standerfer and her husband Jim endured the loss of his Aunt, Sue Pope, who succumbed to breast cancer about a year and a half ago, she coordinated projects and events that benefit breast cancer charities.

“Last year we had a big rummage sale,” said the Charleston resident. “(Sue) and I started planning it. She died six months before the event.”

Although Standerfer and her husband Jim were mourning the death of Pope, somehow she mustered the tenacity to move forward with the fundraiser.

“It was really therapeutic to go ahead and do it,” she said.

On a certain level, breast cancer and its widespread effects, make it a personal issue to everyone, Standerfer said.

“Everybody knows somebody who has had it,” she said. “Statistically, women are at a higher risk as they age. I look at my daughter, after watching somebody battle cancer, … and think ‘I don’t want her to die of cancer.'”

This year Standerfer has once again moved her charity efforts to the forefront of her schedule and, in conjunction with Jackson Avenue Coffee, has set up many different avenues this month through which people can contribute to breast cancer research.

“(Beginning) Oct. 1 we put up a display at Jackson Avenue Coffee called the Wall of Hope and Honor,” she said. “That was put up to honor people who have fought breast cancer. Anyone could put up things to honor victims- drawings, poems, pictures. It will be up the remainder of the month.”

Besides the Wall of Hope and Honor, which is new to the mix of charitable things Standerfer has organized, a silent auction also is being conducted.

Jackson Avenue Coffee has all items up for bid displayed at its shop and is accepting bids through the 25th of October, Standerfer said.

“There are gift certificates, several art pieces from local artists,” she said. “There really are some nice things people can bid on. We’ll notify high bidders at the end of the month.”

All proceeds from the events and projects Standerfer has spearheaded will go to the nonprofit organization Illinois Wings. Illinois is only the second state in the U.S. where this organization resides. It initially got started in San Antonio, Texas by Terri Jones and Dr. Kathryn Safford in October of 1999.

The mission of the organization is to extend a helping hand to women and men who are uninsured or underinsured so they may receive comprehensive breast treatment care.

Standerfer will cap off her month-long charity efforts with a trio of bands performing at 9 p.m. Saturday at Friends & Company.

“I hope a lot of people come out to see them,” she said.

Performing bands include Motherlode, the Siderunners, The Other Jones and a combination band consisting of Jim Standerfer, Ryan Groff as well as a yet-to-be named bassist, she said.

Civilians and students can view all three bands for the bargain basement price of $5. All profits from the concert will also go to Illinois Wings, Ellen Standerfer said.

Even if people cannot make the concert, Standerfer urged that contributions can be placed in donation cans available on the premises of Jackson Avenue Coffee through the end of the month.

Jackson Avenue Coffee became involved with Standerfer’s charity efforts since her friend is the wife of the java shop’s owner, Ryan Dawson.

“(Standerfer) came to us with the idea,” Dawson said. “This year she wanted to add a little more to it (besides a concert).”

He said things came together after Dawson, his wife, and Standerfer meshed their ideas together on how the java joint could help propel efforts.

“It has gone great; we have had a lot of bids on the silent auction,” Dawson said. “It has really exceeded what we thought it would.”

Standerfer said she would like to keep many of the added charitable events intact for next October.

“I definitely want to keep the Wall of Hope and Honor,” she said. “The silent auction has been good. People have been very generous and willing to make donations. Each year I think about things that could be different next year. I’m really excited.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Illinois Wings can either send a donation directly to the nonprofit organization at illinoiswings.org or write a check out and deliver it to Ellen Standerfer. She can be contacted at 345-6828 for more information.