Breast Cancer Fundraising All About Helping Neighbors

When it comes to fundraising efforts for breast cancer causes, it’s the passion, the sisterhood, the tireless efforts and the pink tidal wave that seems to push millions of volunteers into action.

There’s the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, which has raised about $400 million and has about seven million walkers in its events.

There’s the Susan G. Komen For the Cure® and Race for the Cure® events, which include more than 140 foot races and 1.6 million participants on four continents.

There’s the Avon Foundation for Women, with the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, which has raised $700 million for education, research, screening, diagnostics and access to treatment.

There’s the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which was founded by Janelle Hail 30 years ago. Diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 30s, Hail had a mastectomy at 34. There was not nearly as much information available then.

“Every word beyond, ‘You have breast cancer,’ was a blur,” she said.
Hail had three young sons, and she was terrified.

On Shelter Island this Saturday, a will be held to raise money for three East End organizations that handle breast cancer patients; the North Fork Breast Health Coalition, the Coalition for Women's Cancers at and Lucia’s Angels, a foundation created in memory of Lucia Terzi Bagan which raised money for and recently opened at Southampton Hospital.

Race director MaryEllen Adipietro said the 12-year-old racing event raises between $18,000 and $24,000 each year, with about $9,000 going to the two coalitions and around $3,000 from a raffle benefiting Lucia's Angels.

"We wanted to make sure we are taking care of both forks and Shelter Island," Adipietro said on Friday, as she was working out last-minute details.

A nurse, Adipietro said she's been around many breast cancer patients and stayed with her friend Lucia in her dying days. "All those proceeds go to our neighbors, our community, the East End community, direct patient care and/or some preventive measures. It’s really all about our neighbors," she said.

Likewise, Hail later fulfilled her dream of helping others – in millions of ways. Donations to the NBCF’s Pink Ribbon Challenge go to programs that benefit women: namely free mammograms at hospitals, clinics, missions and mobile clinics.

Radio listeners participate in the Pink Ribbon Challenge by going to their station’s website during October and clicking on the pink ribbon to give to the cause.
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition works with a network of grassroots partners.

“This elite group of volunteers helps to raise awareness and donations … in every corner of the state in every way imaginable,” said Pat Halpin-Murphy, president and founder of the coalition. She said many people know someone who has been affected by the disease. “Because of this, they are driven to fight and help find a cure for breast cancer now so our daughters won’t have to.”