Thomas Russell — Furniture Today,
AT THE MARKET — Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of


presidential hopeful John Edwards, appeared at the P.A.M.A. Furniture showroom here Wednesday to sign books and raise money for cancer outreach and awareness.

Edwards, who overcame a bout with breast cancer, has been in the national news because she has had a recurrence of the disease.

A longtime customer of P.A.M.A., Edwards spoke to a standing-room-only crowd in the company’s Market Square showroom about her book, “Saving Graces.” The book and her talk focused on the importance of family and community in her struggles with cancer.

She used a tapestry to describe the support she has received from family, friends and the community. She said she will be able to endure the struggle that lies ahead thanks to the efforts of doctors and the love and support of family, but also “because of the people who reach out along the way.”

“You are a ribbon in my tapestry,” she said. “You make it easier for me.”

Before her talk, she received a pink ribbon bag from a cancer support committee of High Point Regional Hospital. After the talk, she signed books, including those on sale at the event. A portion of the proceeds from those sales will go to a local cancer outreach group called “The Pink Ribbon.”

“I just love her tenacity and strength,” said Lucinda McDonald of Smith Flooring in Kernersville, N.C., who has had breast cancer scares. “She is just so brave. They (the Edwards family) represent the all-American family. I am so inspired by her. I think she is going to be a great First Lady.”

“I support her because I have several friends that have gone through cancer,” said Karen Emold, visiting from Milwaukee, Wis., with her husband, a sales rep for several furniture companies. “I just think she is inspiring. She is supportive and caring. … She’s a special lady.”

A silent auction on two P.A.M.A. chairs also will be held through 4 p.m. Saturday. All proceeds will go to the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. P.A.M.A.’s showroom is in space 217 of Market Square.