Record amount raised for Southwest Georgia breast cancer crisis fund

ALBANY — A donation to the Phoebe Foundation consisting of the proceeds from the 2015 Albany Pink walk held March 21 was officially presented to the Foundation on Tuesday, with the final tally being more than $60,000.

The amount is the most raised by the event in its three years here, officials said. BMW of Albany and Albany Motorcars sponsor the walk, held to honor and remember those affected by breast cancer and to raise money for crisis funding for those undergoing breast cancer treatments who need help with living expenses.

More than 800 individuals, including those in teams, participated in this year’s event held at Meredyth Place. Officials said all the funds raised go to the Albany Pink Crisis Fund and the MaryLynn Mason Endowment Fund through Phoebe Foundation, and directly benefit breast cancer patients at Phoebe Cancer Center.

Karen Smith, sales manager of BMW of Albany, said that as the event grew from year to year, coordinators got excited about the cause and found they were unable to stop.

“It is a great opportunity to assist people in a time of crisis,” she said.

For the 12 months that ended in January, funds raised for the fund have provided travel assistance for 155 patients while they underwent 2,571 cancer treatments, lodging for 30 patients at an average stay of four weeks, and pain and nausea medication for 93 patients, officials with the Foundation said.

A breast cancer diagnosis does not legally disable someone, which means the inability to work can have financial consequences. Quality-of-life consequences come when patients have to choose, for instance, between a rent payment or pain medication.

“This helps them comply with their treatment and (to get them better),” said Lauren Ray, executive director of the Phoebe Foundation.

BMW of Albany and Albany Motorcars presented a $5,000 donation to represent $100 for every car sold in the month of March.

“I can’t think of a better opportunity for our dealership … we are a dealership who cares,” Smith said. “We want to be a help to the community and make ourselves known. We want to be a dealership who makes a difference.”

Sam’s Club of Albany, which provided refreshments at the walk, and Pfizer, each donated $3,000.

Rebecca Ethridge, quality assurance specialist with Pfizer, said the goal of the company was to find a charity that could have a significant impact in Southwest Georgia. In support of the cancer awareness effort, and for the crisis fund, the business had more than 30 walkers participating in the event last month.

“The bottom line is where the money goes to … patients who can’t afford pain meds,” she said.

Deborah Hobbs, membership team lead at Sam’s Club, said the store was initially led to contribute after someone at the Albany location was impacted by breast cancer. When that happened, the club reached out to other nearby locations.

When considering what to donate to, Hobbs indicated that a charity for which funds are kept in the Southwest Georgia area is favored.

“There are so many affected (by cancer) daily,” she said. “We feel strongly about (supporting the fight against) breast cancer.”

Of the donations, Phoebe Foundation Chair Larry Hockman said, “Service to humanity is the gift of life.”