Project Pink ‘Goes Teal’
Over the course of the seven years Arizona Assistance in Healthcare has had a presence in the Valley, it has made a big difference in the lives of cancer patients being treated in Arizona.
The nonprofit organization, whose biggest sponsor is Cancer Treatment Centers of America, was born to support patients with more than just their cancer care. When CTCA founder Richard J. Stephenson opened the first hospital in Zion, Ill., he recognized the economic strain undergoing treatments often places on the patient and saw the need to raise money for the non-medical needs of patients.
On October 19, Arizona Assistance in Healthcare will host its third annual Project Pink Vintage Fashion Show to benefit cancer patients being treated in Arizona. This year’s Project Pink will “go teal” in honor of thyroid cancer, represented by the colors pink, teal and yellow.
Josh Webb and his mother, Pansy Willis
The luncheon and fashion show is co-chaired by Meredith McGuire, president of Arizona Assistance in Healthcare, and Sandra McGann, AAIH board member. As in the past, honorary co-chairs are a patient who is an AAIH grant recipient and his caretaker.
One of this year’s honorary co-chair is Josh Webb, who is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Goodyear. His mother, Pansy Willis, is his caretaker and serves as his co-chair.
“I am truly honored to share this moment with my mom and my family,” says Webb. “Because of AAIH, the $250 that I receive every month helps me pay our water bill, electricity and my truck payment. Having cancer puts such a huge burden on a family. As a dad of two children, and with a fiancé and a son, I am the role model to my family, and I want to take care of their needs. Because of Assistance in Healthcare, I can.”
Money raised at Project Pink, says McGuire, is used for monthly grants to help CTCA patients being treated in the Valley for any type of cancer. AAIH currently sends monthly grants to 60 to 70 patients, giving consideration to patients who are most in need financially. Over the past two years, AAIH has raised approximately $110,000 at Project Pink, enabling the organization to distribute about 440 grants.
“All of our board members have been touched by cancer,” McGuire says, “so we are eager to help as many patients who are under stress as we can.
Again this year, Project Pink will be held at the Wigwam Resort & Spa in Litchfield Park and will feature vintage fashion in a runway show created by Robert Black. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to buy Mystery Boxes provided by Kendra Scott Jewelry and participate in a wine pull featuring premium wines. Carey Peña, award-winning anchor, and founder and CEO of Inspired Media 360 will serve as the luncheon emcee.
PHOTOS COURTESY ARIZONA ASSISTANCE IN HEALTHCARE
