Like many families and industries, non-profits have been struggling during COVID-19. It’s not easy asking for money, while many are worrying about their own dollars. How do you hold a big fundraising gala when events like that haven’t happened for months? One way to keep donors close even in an age of social distancing -- host the event on zoom. Saturday night, more than 300 people fired up their laptops and cameras and joined Project Pink'd online, an Omaha organization helping breast cancer survivors for more than a decade.

Project Pink’d Founder & President, Cynthia Sturgeon, was re-diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer 5 years ago. Despite her diagnosis, she has continued to be at the forefront of Project Pink’d, Inc., providing leadership, inspiration, compassion and encouragement to thousands of survivors in our Nebraska and Western Iowa communities. A hero to many, Cynthia’s next challenge is one she is willing to face head on, for herself personally and in support of Project Pink’d and the many survivors who will follow in her footsteps.

“The reality is like many others, I am living with metastatic breast cancer. There is no cure or remission for me. Each day I wake up and my feet hit the floor and I am thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to embrace the day, in whatever capacity I can, to love, be loved and serve others,” stated Cynthia.

A former avid walker, Cynthia has set a personal challenge for herself in support of Project Pink’d during Omaha Gives! this year. On Wednesday, May 20, Cynthia will walk 5 consecutive miles, one mile for each year she has not been able to. For some, that goal may seem easily achievable, but for Cynthia, who has not been able to walk more than 1.5 miles since being re-diagnosed, it’s a challenge she is willing to conquer.

Cynthia stated, “With each step, I will be thinking of the burden each survivor carries and honor the memory of those we have lost to the disease.”

Serving over 4,400 breast cancer survivors in 2019, the funds raised for Project Pink’d during Omaha Gives! will provide Project Pink’d the opportunity to impact even more survivors with much needed financial assistance, complimentary survivorship programs and Healing Hearts Survivor Kits which addressing each modality of treatment.

Project Pink'd, Inc., announces Sean Figy, M.D., Assistant Professor, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, as their next Straight Talk series guest expert. Covering the topic of Surgical Lymphedema: Exploring Cutting Edge Therapies, this Live Webcast will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 from 7pm-8pm.