Instead of Pink

“Good heavens, woman! This is war, not a garden party!”

Dr. Meade snaps at poor Aunt Pittypat in this iconic Gone With the Wind scene that finds her seriously stressing over Scarlett being unchaperoned while bombs explode all around them. They were in the middle of the Civil War.

Read the room Aunt Pittypat.

Breast cancer blew up my life in October 2019, and when the dust finally settled I came to a harsh realization about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

While I was at war, everyone around me floated through October like it was a garden party.

Don’t get me wrong, I had been there, too.

Prior to D-Day (diagnosis day), my Octobers were full of all things pink. I attended the brunches and bought the lipsticks. I wrote checks, but never questioned where the money was going or if it really helped anyone.

Supporting a colorful cause was fun. Living with breast cancer was anything but.

After my diagnosis, I could no longer view cancer through the lens of statistics or a cause. It had become my very messy and terrifying reality.

And I found myself challenged to help fellow survivors in ways that are meaningful to them.

I’m committed to putting the focus back where it belongs: cancer patients.

In many instances, only a small percentage of your purchase or donation is actually benefitting patients. And even then, it’s most likely not in a tangible way.

In light of this, I’m choosing to make my donations to the New York Oncology Hematology Community Cancer Foundation, and I hope you will consider doing the same.

Since 2000, the Foundation has been providing financial assistance to cancer patients in the form of necessities that meet their daily needs, such as:

• Groceries

• Gas

• Rides to treatment

• Medicine not covered by insurance

That’s just to name a few. The best part? 100 percent of tax-deductible donations go directly to patients right here in the local community.

Many awareness campaigns glamorize what is undoubtedly one of the most devastating events a woman can experience.

As a survivor who was diagnosed in the middle of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I can tell you that seeing people wearing pink in October doesn’t make me feel more supported. And that little pink ribbon is just that - a little pink ribbon.

Let’s actively get meaningful assistance in the hands of those who need it.

Instead of buying things we don’t need. Instead of brunching for a cause.

Instead of pink.