Pink Fund Helps Patients During Cancer Treatment
By Kate Phillips
SPECIAL WRITER
Breast cancer is a very real part of the lives of women and men at OptimEyes of South Lyon. All too many patients who visit the optical office tell the staff that they are undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
"We hear all the time that patients have been diagnosed," said practice manager Sunny Northrup of South Lyon. "It's very devastating."
Northrup recalls vividly when one of her best friends and several family members were diagnosed. She said that her experience is about the average in the office. The cancer doesn't seem to skip too many families.
One of the hardest parts about hearing that someone has just been diagnosed with cancer, Northrup said, is the feeling of helplessness. There's not a simple way to help the healing process.
"All you can do is listen and say you're in our thoughts and prayers," said Northrup. "That may help, but it doesn't seem like enough."
So when Northrup and the rest of the staff heard about the new Pink Fund, they felt a little encouraged. It's a national non-profit organization that assists those who are going through breast cancer treatment.
Since often patients are forced to stop working during radiation and chemotherapy, or while recovering from surgery, financial stresses can make it even harder to deal with the illness.
The Pink Fund steps in to pay some outstanding bills during treatment then helps patients get back on their feet financially once they are feeling better with job search assistance.
As a cancer survivor, The Pink Fund founder, Molly MacDonald, knew first hand that during treatment families are often stretched to the breaking point physically, emotionally and financially.
"What I learned from my own situation and confirmed by other women in treatment, is that the financial fallout from breast cancer causes stress often as devastating as the disease," stated MacDonald in a press release. "I founded The Pink Fund to help women in treatment so they could focus their mental and emotional energy on healing and recovery."
It's pragmatic help when it's needed the most.
So Northrup and the rest of the staff jumped on the idea of holding a fund raiser for The Pink Fund. It was a way they could do something about the deadly disease gripping so many loved ones.
OptimEyes will be hosting a fund raiser called "Share the Vision, Shades for Pink" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 27 and 28.
It's a day celebrating cancer survivors, with decorations, refreshments and prizes. The staff couldn't be more ready to celebrate, with pink T-shirts, baseball hats and plenty of hugs.
"Everyone will be working during the fund raiser because no one wants to miss it," said Northrup. "We're so excited about it."
Money will be raised for The Pink Fund through a donation of five percent of all sales during the fund raiser. A trunk show will also be held to showcase the newest frames from the most popular lines. Some very special pink sunglasses will also debut at Shades of Pink. The limited edition sunglasses will be available for purchase, plus several pair will be given away during the fund raiser.
OptimEyes is located at 22321 Pontiac Trail in South Lyon. For more information contact the office at (248) 437-7600 or go to www.drkontry.com
For the 2nd consecutive year, pink was the color of the day as we hosted "Share the Vision, Shades for Pink" an optical event to benefit The Pink Fund, a non profit organization whose mission is to provide short term financial aid to breast cancer survivors during treatment and recovery.
The turnout for the event was spectacular. As has always been the case, the South Lyon Community turned out in force. We had food, prizes, a special sale, and trunk showings of the latest designer frames. Everyone on our staff wore pink in support of the cause and pink balloons were everywhere.
The Pink Fund founder Molly MacDonald stopped by, as did Pink Fund Chairperson Muriel Benedetti. "What I learned from my own situation, and confirmed by other women in treatment, is that the financial fallout from breast cancer causes stress often as devastating as the disease. I founded The Pink Fund to help women in treatment so they could focus their mental and emotional energy on healing and recovery," said MacDonald.
Our event was so successful, that we were able to double the amount of our original donation. Being a good corporate citizen by supporting the South Lyon community and charitable causes isn't just a good idea, it's been a core value of our practice for the past 19 years. That's why even though this event is over, our support of The Pink Fund isn't. We've made The Pink Fund a permanent part of our website and have made a committment to continue to support this worthwhile cause in anyway we can.
