Albany Pink walk for breast cancer patients set for March 21

ALBANY — Even with the most advanced treatments accessible, there are other obstacles breast cancer patients face outside treatment and the chemotherapy unit. Many do not have a strong support system.

For those kind of needs, there is an Albany Pink walk set for March 21 at the Meredyth Place complex on Meredyth Drive.

There are two funds this event will benefit, the MaryLynn Mason Endowment Fund, which helps to fund pain and nausea medication, and the Albany Pink Crisis Fund through the Phoebe Foundation, which helps offset living expenses. The majority of the proceeds this year, which is the third event, is expected to go toward Albany Pink.

The first event raised $22,000, while the second event brought in 554 people and raised $45,000. The goal is to get 800 participants for this year’s event, said Janet Elliott, coordinator for the event

Through sponsorships with partners in the community, 100 percent of all registration fees plus donations will go into the funds. BMW of Albany and Albany Motorcars have pledged $100 for every vehicle sold during March, which totaled more than $5,600 in 2014.

The minimum commitment from the dealership will be $5,000, Elliott said.

“Motorcars doesn’t keep registration fees,” she said. “One-hundred percent of fees and donations goes straight into the fund.”

The event will start with a 9:30 a.m. ceremony, with on-site registration opening at 8 a.m. All participants must be checked in prior to 9:15 a.m. Breakfast, snacks and drinks will be provided prior to 9:15 a.m. courtesy of Sam’s Club of Albany, with water and snacks available along the route. Vendor shopping will be available, along with awareness shirts, bracelets and tutus. Prize drawings and shopping will follow the close of the event at 11 a.m.

The fund raising goals are $100 per individual, or $75 per individual in teams of four or more — but that is not a goal etched in stone.

“Nobody is turned away, but it is strictly a goal,” Elliott said.

A breast cancer diagnosis does not automatically translate into eligibility for a permanent disability. Many breast cancer patients do not have access to long term disability benefits. The impact of loss of income can be catastrophic and presents psychological and financial challenges when the patient should be focusing on a treatment regimen.

The result can often be a lack of adherence to a treatment plan.

“For someone diagnosed with cancer, a person’s life can become complicated in a short period of time,” said Chevin Chandler-Ellis, a social worker with Phoebe Cancer Center.

Crisis funding availability for daily living has traditionally been lacking, and there is a great need for it.

“It is critical because it removes financial barriers so (the patient and medical team) can focus on quality of life and healing,” said Chandler-Ellis. “We are so grateful for the work Albany BMW is doing. It’s going to make a drastic difference.”

Chandler-Ellis emphasized the psychological impacts on the patient as well as the family.

“This is not just about treatments,” she said. “Financial loss leads to significant stress levels. It helps from a psychological standpoint as well.

Lauren Ray, executive director of Phoebe Foundation, said supporting the hospital as well as the community it serves is a job the foundation cannot do by itself. That makes the impact of a corporate leader stepping in to fill in the gap all the more meaningful.

“It is a way to offer hope, to offer families stability.”

There is a criteria in place for the crisis program benefiting cancer patients. The individual’s circumstances, including his or her support system, is taken into account when establishing who has the highest and greatest need for the funding, Chandler-Ellis said.

Event badges must be presented at the walk in order to redeem prizes and food. After the registration fee is paid, participants will be eligible for a prize bag including an event shirt, giveaways, special coupons/offers and one lunch ticket. Additional event shirts are available for order at $15 each, while additional prize bags are available at $25 each.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three individual fundraisers, as well as the team with the most donations collected. Random prize drawings will also be given at the close of the event, and there will also be awards for best dressed individuals and teams. In order to qualify for fund raising prizes, all funds are due by 2 p.m. on March 20.

Participants may register online at www.albanypink.com by clicking “REGISTER NOW” or in person at 805 E. Oglethorpe Blvd. Registration is not complete until the registration fee has been paid. Through March 15, registration is $35 per person or $30 per person for teams of four. After that point, registration will be $40 per person, or $35 per person for teams of four or more.

As of Tuesday, there were 630 people signed up to participate with $22,528 raised.

Donations should be made payable to “Phoebe Foundation.” For more information, call Elliott at (229) 518-2866 or send an email to [email protected]. Those wishing to volunteer their time toward the event can call (229) 833-2040 and ask to speak to someone regarding Albany Pink.