For the third year in a row, Triple6tattoos will open its doors to give cancer patients and survivors free ink.

The shop, located at 379 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, is hosting the third annual “F—- Cancer” event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., where cancer patients and survivors could get a free ribbon tattoo with the color representing their cancer.

Shop owner Bruce Fairchild told the Times Leader last year that he was inspired to give back after watching his father battle cancer.

“I decided to do something for our community,” he said.

The first year of the event, he ended up tattooing 15 people. Last year, he expanded the event to include basket raffles donated from businesses in the community, for which survivors were given free entries, and enlisted the help of fellow artists in the shop Jenna Stanish and Kevin Boyer.

“(The day) is just for patients and survivors,” Fairchild said.

On the shop’s Facebook page, there was a post to advertise the event and ask for donations for raffle baskets.

“Everything is free this day, we will not be taking money for anything all raffles are for patients or survivors,” the post read.

This year, in addition to raffles, the shop posted on their Facebook page that there will be food and snacks this year as well.

“We all know how draining this disease can be for people,” the post read.

Sharon Azagata, 73, of Shickshinny, went to last year’s event with her daughter, Christina Evans, 52. Both woman are cancer survivors. Azagata is a breast cancer survivor, and was getting a ribbon as her second tattoo.

“I got my first tattoo at 65,” she said. “They’re addictive.”

Azagata said prior to her diagnosis, she was overdue for an appointment and Geisinger kept calling her to come in. She said between that and her friend urging her to go, she finally made the appointment. She was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer.

“When you hear cancer, it does something to you,” she said.

Evans and Azagata said they remained positive through their battles, and Evans said this journey, while tough, has brought her and her mother closer together.

“Your faith and mental attitude have everything to do with it,” Evans said.

Tammy Norris, 32, of Dallas, gets a black ribbon for skin cancer at Triple6tattoos.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_IMG_0030.jpg.optimal.jpgTammy Norris, 32, of Dallas, gets a black ribbon for skin cancer at Triple6tattoos. Brigid Edmunds| Times Leader

Artist Jenna Stanish tattoos a breast cancer ribbon on Sharon Azagata, 72, of Shickshinny.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_IMG_0049.jpg.optimal.jpgArtist Jenna Stanish tattoos a breast cancer ribbon on Sharon Azagata, 72, of Shickshinny. Brigid Edmunds| Times Leader

By Brigid Edmunds

bedmunds@timesleader.com

Reach Brigid Edmunds at 570-991-6113 or on Twitter @brigidedmunds.