New Year, New Opportunities: Message from SOPF Board President Mary Pat Meyers
2024 brings a fresh outlook and a renewed sense of purpose. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the past year and Shades of Pink Foundation’s significant accomplishments in easing the financial burden for breast cancer patients across Southeast Michigan.
2023 was SOPF’s most impactful year yet, and I'm thrilled to share the results of our collective efforts.
2023 Results
Key achievements:
Provided temporary financial assistance to 178 households; a 35% increase over 2022.
Distributed $385,000 to individuals; a 36% increase over 2022.
Served 100 single head of household (56%).
Impacted 127 children in households that received SOPF funding.
Events
A Walk at the Zoo, on April 29, 2023 ~ This annual event is a springboard for our fundraising efforts throughout the year, and its success is essential to growing our investment in the community. Thanks to the outpouring of community support, we reached our fundraising goal of $250,000 with more than 1,600 walkers and survivors, and nearly 100 teams participating in last year’s Walk. We invite everyone to join us this year on April 27, 2024!
Nine, Wine and Dine, a (really fun) ladies golf outing, and Pars Fore Pink. Now in their third year, these much anticipated golf outings provided attendees with a day of golf, camaraderie and giving back.
SOPF’s Second Annual Comedy Event at the Birmingham Community House honored social workers, nurses, nurse navigators, patient navigators, office managers and other key individuals that help identify and assist breast cancer patients in need.
Proceeds from all of these events supported cancer patients undergoing treatment in our community.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
While SOPF works tirelessly year-round to support those going through breast cancer treatment, October is a special month for us. Thank you to the 45+ local businesses, municipalities, schools and athletic teams for partnering with us, raising recognition and funds on our behalf by hosting innovative community fundraisers. Special thanks to Sticker Blitz and all the incredible businesses and locations involved in the Pink Ribbon Campaign, too!
Online Financial Support Application
New Online Financial Support Application ~ Referral partners assisting breast cancer patients can now apply using a streamlined, electronic application. For more information about our application process and eligibility criteria, visit shadesofpinkfoundation.org/assistance.
Expanded Outreach
Ongoing efforts to expand SOPF’s outreach in the nine counties we serve across Southeast Michigan yielded great results.
SOPF became a member of:
Michigan Cancer Consortium, a statewide partnership of public and private organizations that collaborate to reduce the human and economic burden of cancer among the residents of Michigan.
Michigan 2-1-1, a free, statewide collaborative service that connects Michigan residents with thousands of health and human services agencies and resources right in their communities.
In addition, SOPF is now listed as a resource on many cancer care websites across Southeast Michigan. We continue to partner with MDHHS and other organizations to help spread awareness to those in need as well as those who may wish to partner with us financially so we can fulfill our mission.
Increased Visibility
We invite you to review our Annual Report (available online), exhibiting our Foundation’s continued growth and transformation. We also invite you to join our ever-growing list of donors and sponsors. Together, we are making someone's life a little less stressful so they can concentrate on healing and family.
Our social media presence and followers increased exponentially, several of our Board members made media appearances, and SOPF was featured in many digital and print publications.
A huge shout out to Catalyst Media Factory for their continued support. For recent media coverage, visit shadesofpinkfoundation.org/media-coverage.
With Gratitude
Your kindness has a ripple effect, touching the lives of those we serve. Thank you! Every gift of time, talent and treasure matters. Whether it was a monetary or in-kind donation, event sponsorship or participation, volunteer service, or a third-party event fundraiser, we are humbled by your dedication to our mission.
We appreciate your confidence in SOPF as responsible stewards of your donations and your trust. I feel I cannot thank you enough.
I am also grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a diverse and passionate Board of Directors, Advisory Board and staff. Their hard work and collaborative, forward-thinking mindset are truly commendable, and I am inspired by their tireless commitment. Learn more about these amazing individuals at shadesofpinkfoundation.org/news.
Looking to the Future
As SOPF heads into its 19th year of investing in the local community, we remain steadfast in our goal to achieve record growth in terms of individuals served and dollars distributed.
Please join us at SOPF A Walk at the Zoo, on Saturday, April 27, 2024. We will be welcoming 3,000+ walkers, survivors, sponsors, supporters and volunteers, along with local vendors and entertainment; sharing a stroll along the animals, camaraderie, stories of why our Foundation matters; and showcasing the importance of our mission. There is power in numbers. We aim to make this the most impactful Walk in our Foundation history. That is where you come in and join us again, or join us for the first time! To register for the Walk or sign up a team to raise funds and awareness, volunteer, become a sponsor and donate, visit https://shadesofpinkfoundation.goodworldnow.com/p/a-walk-at-the-zoo.
On behalf of the Foundation and those we serve, thank you for your unwavering support. Let's impact more lives and lessen the financial stress of a breast cancer diagnosis. No one chooses breast cancer. We can, however, choose to help ease the burden for those undergoing treatment.
With sincere appreciation,
Mary Pat Meyers
President, Board of Directors
