Jessica’s Pink Passion

Founded in Dryden, New York, Jessica’s Pink Passion is a small volunteer organization, whose mission it is to raise funds for direct support for breast cancer treatments for the patients in the Finger Lakes Region.

At the heart of this small organization is founder, Jessica Carpenter and two of her good friends (and current board members), Don Lawson, Director and Monica Armstrong, President. This close-knit group of friends and two additional board members is the driving force behind all fundraising efforts for the fairly new organization whose vision is, “Helping to Make a Patient Smile!”

Like other reputable volunteer organizations, Jessica’s Pink Passion operates on an almost non-existent operating budget with 95% of all donations going directly to breast cancer patients. Since its inception in 2010, the organization has provided direct support to twenty breast cancer patients. With the help of funds from Jessica’s Pink Passion, a daughter was able to fly home to stay with her mother while she was received treatment for breast cancer. Other patients have used funds to help abate the cost of prescriptions.

Word of Jessica’s Pink Passion and their trademark “Pink Night” fundraisers has spread throughout Dryden and the surrounding communities and it is the hope of everyone involved that more and more people hear about the small organization and continue to support their efforts. The organization does have a website,www.jessicaspinkpassion.com,  which offers additional information about their efforts and alerts visitors to upcoming event.  Additionally, the site provides some facts about breast cancer. You can also keep up-to-date on recent activities by liking Jessica’s Pink Passion on Facebook.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Jessica’s Pink Passion has enlisted the help of local organizations to raise funds.

For the month of October, the following businesses will be selling raffle tickets for donated gift baskets:

• 153 West Beauty, 153 West Dryden Rd., Freeville, Phone: 607.844.3800
• Shear Visions, 25 E. Main St., Dryden, Phone: 607.844.8752
• The Second Knob Gifts & Antiques/Shots by Shana Photography, 129 North St. Dryden, Phone: 607.844.5662
• Hair Graphics, 327 Pine Tree Rd., Ithaca, Phone: 607.273.1343
• Creative Touch, 10 W Main St., Dryden, Phone: 607.844.9920
• 17 West Beauty, 17 W. Main St., Dryden, Phone: 607.227.0207
• Finger Lakes Spine & Body Works, 87 W. Main St., Dryden, Phone: 607.708.4169

Each business sells raffle tickets exclusively for their own baskets and tickets are two for $5. All drawings for baskets will take place on November 1st.

The next Pink Night will be held at the Dryden Hotel on Saturday, October 19th.

On Pink Friday, October 25th, Jessica’s Pink Passion is offering a pizza party incentive to businesses and organizations to encourage thinking pink…. In order to participate, a group (office/business/organization) simply has to wear pink and make a donation to Jessica’s Pink Passion. Be sure to snap a photograph to submit with your donation! The group with the largest donation will win a pizza party!

Jessica’s Pink Passion relies on the generosity of its supporters. Support from businesses like those listed above and The Cortland Area Tribune who donated space for this article as well as support from individuals is crucial to both the organization’s sustainability and growth. The team at Jessica’s Pink Passion is grateful for every penny they receive, which they can then provide to breast cancer patients. For more information on supporting Jessica’s Pink Passion and Helping to Make a Patient Smile, you can contact Jessica via the website.