Pink with a Purpose
Pink with a Purpose: ‘I Know I’m Not Alone’
Read on to see how buying a breast cancer awareness tee or supporting a fundraiser has an immense impact
Donate Now
Breast cancer continues to take a toll on countless patients and families
Donations to the Blessing Foundation help ease their cancer journeys, both financially and emotionally
Our communities will be filled with pink
this October.
The color – particularly in the form of a pink ribbon – has become synonymous with Breast Cancer Awareness, and it continues to serve as a reminder of the countless individuals who have been touched by the disease.
For many, it’s also become a symbol of hope and solidarity.
It reminds us … we’re all in this together.
Dawn Herzog
“I remember being in the grocery store one day with my breast cancer awareness shirt on,” says Dawn Herzog, supervisor of the Blessing Breast Center. “A woman stopped me to say, ‘Just seeing your shirt lifted my spirits. I know I’m not alone.’”
That’s a powerful piece of apparel.
Beyond the power to lift spirits and offer hope, though, the pink merchandise and community events related to Breast Cancer Awareness Month have an even greater purpose. Money raised from apparel sales and fundraisers for the Blessing Foundation can be a lifesaver.
Supporting Patients in Need
The Blessing Breast Services Fund, one of more than 60 funds managed by the Blessing Foundation, supports breast cancer patients who are struggling financially. Donations to the fund help pay for unmet needs, including medication, prosthetics, wigs, medical supplies, transportation and living expenses.
The fund also ensures women who can’t afford mammograms have access to them.
“Treatment options are so much better the earlier you detect it,” Herzog says, emphasizing the vital importance of mammograms to catch breast cancer in its earliest stages. “Donations to the Foundation help eliminate the financial barriers so we can make that early diagnosis.”
In 2018, the fund granted $47,200 to local patients in need.
Donations to the Breast Services Fund also support community education, allowing Blessing staff to spread the message about risk factors and early detection at health fairs and other events.
Mark Khil, MD - Cancer, Oncology, Radiation Oncology
Opportunities to Give During Breast Cancer Awareness Month & Beyond
All proceeds from apparel sales, walk entries, and fundraisers go directly to the Blessing Foundation’s Breast Services Fund. And, of course, donations are accepted year-round because the need goes beyond the month of October.
Pink Apparel
The Blessing Breast Center Apparel Store got its start in 2006 with one “Think Pink” design on a short-sleeve T-shirt. It has grown to include multiple designs with different inspirational messages each year and a wide array of apparel: short- and long-sleeve tees, sweatshirts, hoodies, shorts, tank tops, leggings, sweatpants, and more.
Area residents flock to the store for a few days each October to stock up on pink apparel and support the cause.
The store has been in various locations. This year, it will be open for four days – October 2-5 – at the Oak Street Mall, 4937 Oak, in Quincy.
Hours are:
10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, and Friday, Oct. 4
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
If you miss buying pink apparel in the store, don’t worry. You can stop at the Blessing Breast Center year-round to browse the inventory. The Breast Center is in Suite 320 of the Blessing Health Center East, 927 Broadway.
“You can’t go anywhere without seeing Breast Center apparel,” Herzog said. “It’s a visible reminder, ‘Hey, I’ve got to get my mammogram.’”
Pink. Pass It On in the District
Quincy’s downtown businesses support the Breast Services Fund with an annual 5K walk, “Pink. Pass It On in the District,” which is in its 13th year.
“It’s an emotional event,” Herzog says. “Women come out to support other women and each year a survivor shares her inspirational journey.”
This year’s walk is Saturday, Oct. 26, starting and ending in Washington Park. Registration begins at 8:30 with the featured speaker at 9:30 a.m., followed by the walk. Click here
or stop at the Blessing Breast Center or any of The District sponsors for a registration form. Registration must be received by Oct. 23 to guarantee a walk T-shirt.
Pink Fundraisers at Work, School and in the Community
Quincy area businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations are amazing supporters of the cause, finding unique ways to give back.
The Tangerine Bowl is a longtime supporter, holding a “Strike Out Breast Cancer” bowling fundraiser every April since 2010. It’s grown into a two-day event with more than 80 teams. Participants bowl three games, dress up in costumes, buy raffle tickets, compete for prizes, have fun – and raise a lot of money!
This year’s bowling event raised $11,600 for the Breast Services Fund.
In 2014, the Quincy University Women’s Volleyball team established a “Pick Me Up” fund within the Breast Services Fund to give breast cancer patients something to lift their spirits and bring some joy, like dinner and movie, a manicure or pedicure, massage, housecleaning services, or a family night out.
Local firefighters get involved, too, with the Quincy Fire Department and Tri-Township Fire Department creating their own breast cancer awareness T-shirt designs and taking orders from community members, with all proceeds benefiting the Breast Services Fund.
Those are just three examples of community fundraisers – Blessing is fortunate and grateful that numerous other businesses and organizations take time to make a difference. We encourage you to support their efforts in October and throughout the year!
Pink Nights
Athletic teams throughout the region – from the junior high level through college – host Pink Nights to raise money for the Foundation’s Breast Services Fund. Teams wear pink on game night and sell T-shirts with a special “pink” design to family, friends, and fans. They organize bake sales, raffles and other fundraisers.
It’s a tradition that got started in 2006, when Laurie Laaker, then a Breast Center employee, had a daughter on the QND Girls Basketball team. Laaker approached Coach Eric Orne with the idea, and he was immediately on board.
Since then, the Pink Nights have expanded to dozens of schools and nearly every sport.
“It’s awesome to see the kids getting involved and be so excited about it,” said Laaker, who now works at the Blessing Cancer Center. “They’ve come up with fun ways to support the Foundation, and it’s also a great way to raise awareness.”
Donate Directly to Breast Services Fund
Of course, you can donate directly to Breast Services Fund any time of the year.
No matter how you decide to offer support – by buying a T-shirt, attending a walk, getting a bowling team together, supporting your favorite athletic team’s pink night, or simply sending cash – you know that
100% of your donation is going to help someone in need.
Those simple acts of giving make a tremendous impact on patients going through their breast cancer journeys.
“You’ve given them the world,” Herzog says. “You’ve given them hope, knowing they’re not in this alone. They’ve got the support of the community.”
What is the Blessing Foundation?
Since 1983, the Blessing Foundation has been giving back to the community that has given so much to all of us. The charitable foundation distribute grants, scholarships and financial assistance to individuals and families to help them on their healthcare journeys.
For more information about the Blessing Foundation or to discuss a donation or gift, call (217) 223-8400, ext. 4800, or email us at BlessingFoundation@blessinghealth.org
