Power of Pink Event Raises Money for Capital Breast Care Center

Posted in Lombardi Stories  |  Tagged breast cancer, philanthropy, Power of Pink

December 9, 2015 — Over 120 women clad in pink filled Redwood restaurant in Bethesda, MD, on Thursday, October 22nd, for the 4th annual Power of Pink — Working out to Stop Breast Cancer event. The lunch was preceded by a workout at nearby Equinox Gym, where participants chose between yoga, Tabata or spin classes, and worked up a sweat to show support for the fight against breast cancer.

The Power of Pink event began four years ago with founder Karen Leder’s desire to honor her sister who is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Karen wanted to honor her fight and turn people’s attention to individuals in our community who don’t have the resources, support or safety-net needed to cope with this devastating disease that affects so many.

Now in its fourth year the event has expanded significantly to include a second workout and lunch location, in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, and in 2015 it raised over $110,000 — 10 times more than the first year’s proceeds. Karen also expanded the fundraising committee and corporate sponsorships as she enlisted the help of long-time friend and breast cancer survivor, Shelly Galli, to co-chair the event, and collectively they recruited 24 committee members and 30 event sponsors in 2015. To date, the event has raised over $250,000 to support breast cancer screenings, education and treatment for the medically underserved.

Since 2013, Power of Pink has partnered with Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Capital Breast Care Center (CBCC), which has received over $150,000 in support from the event. These donations have allowed CBCC to screen over 500 women for breast cancer who might not otherwise have access to a mammogram. It has also allowed CBCC to provide these women with breast health education, transportation to and from the center for screenings, and navigation in to treatment if and when a breast cancer is detected.

Next year’s event in 2016 will mark Power of Pink’s 5th year anniversary and Karen remains committed to the fight. “There are so many great causes out there to give to. But when the breast cancer rate for women is still 1 in 8, we have all been touched by it in some way. As women, we have the power. We can fight it. We can make a difference.”

Elissa Ernst
Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center