Pink Ribbon Jax continues to do its part as a nonprofit organization to not only raise money to help people get checked for breast cancer, but also to raise awareness about it.
Every month is an important time to shed light on these issues, but with October’s designation as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they seek to use the platform as another opportunity to spread the word about what all they are striving to do.
The group is an all-volunteer outfit and all the money they raise is intended to stay in Jacksonville to help both women and men in their fight with breast cancer.
According to Pink Ribbon Jax committee chair Marica Pendjer, there are men who get breast cancer and that is not something that should be forgotten.
“That’s why I call them our ‘warriors in pink,’ because it includes both men and women,” Pendjer said. “If you have the tissue, you can get the disease.”
The focus of the organization in recent years has honed in on helping those in the community who can not afford to get tested for breast cancer.
That is why most of the funds raised goes towards purchasing mammograms for people who do not have the means to do so through a partnership with Baptist Health and Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville.
“If it comes down to someone having to decide whether to feed their family or get a mammogram, we want the burden of that choice to not have to be made,” Pendjer said. “This is one of those cancers that we can detect, and we believe everyone should have that option.”
Last year, Pink Ribbon Jax raised more than $2,5 million and according to Pendjer, all of the money stayed in the local community.
“I think that really resonates with the people,” Pendjer said.
Through their efforts they were able to offer 1,500 free mammograms for people in need last year.
“That’s a lot of lives and families being touched, because it’s not just a sole battle,” Pendjer said. “One in eight women wil get breast cancer during their lifetime.”
The organization’s goal this year has been to raise funding for 1,650 free mammograms in conjunction with their 16th anniversary since the creation of the group in 2006.
Not only do the mammograms offer people an answer to whether they have cancer or not, but with it comes a huge sense of relief that they do not have to worry about the unknown.
“The peace of mind to know that they can go on with the rest of their lives, especially when it comes back negative, is such a special thing that we can give them,” Pendjer said. “To live with that worry day-to-day like that has got to be unreal.”
Anyone interested in finding out how they can take advantage of the free mammogram program or getting involved with the organization can go to their website at pinkribbonjax.org.
“We’re just trying to make a difference and touch people’s lives,” Pendjer said.
One of the organization’s marquee events will be its Pink Ribbon Soiree, a benefit presented by Fields Automotive Group and scheduled for Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. at Jaguar/Land Rover Jacksonville.
