Jane Clark wishes the Beyond Pink TEAM didn’t need to celebrate its 25th anniversary of raising breast cancer awareness and helping diagnosed women and survivors in the Cedar Valley. But while researchers and doctors continue to search for a cure, 49-year-old Clark, a breast cancer survivor herself, will continue fighting.
Whether the team provides community support, funding assistance or a place of belonging, Deanna Hughes, chair of the Beyond Pink TEAM said the organization is committed to going above and beyond for people diagnosed with breast cancer in the area.
“We amaze ourselves, because we have grown from a little awareness group to making an impact in the community,” Hughes said. “It feels good to have the community embrace us and make it easy for us to do it.”
The team adds a dash of pink to just about everything. The 60 volunteers get involved with various support meetings, fishing derbies, bar and tavern events and cook-offs, and they even brought pink fire trucks to raise awareness in the Cedar Valley this summer.
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“I think as more and more women have been diagnosed, they’ve been kind of drawn into our group,” Hughes said. “The more numbers you get, the more power you get. “
When Clark, of Waterloo, was first diagnosed with breast cancer 8 years ago, she was devastated.
“You think of the future. You think of things that you might miss, because until you’ve been there, you don’t know if you’re going to make it or not,” Clark said.
After her doctor diagnosed her with aggressive stage-one breast cancer, they recommended she visit a support group held by the Beyond Pink TEAM.
For months, Clark wasn’t sure if she was ready to speak about her diagnosis with other people. One day however, she decided to attend a support group meeting. Since then, she’s played an integral part of the team and currently serves as the treasurer.
“The first few times were kind of emotional,” Clark said. “A lot of them would take you under their wing, and give you the support you needed.”
Going “beyond pink,” means the members of the organization want to go beyond the pink trinkets people buy at stores, Hughes said. They’re committed to truly serving people in the Cedar Valley as the TEAM in their name stands for: take action, educate, advocate and make a difference.
Last year, the team helped 45 women last year with $35,000 in medical bills, and this year, they’re ready to help even more.
“I’m just thrilled to have these great women I’ve been inspired by,” Hughes said. "They give me the inspiration to keep helping and make a difference in their lives."
