Project Pink'd Announces Lori Buckley to Board of Directors

Project Pink'd Announces Kelly Konen to Board of Directors

Project Pink'd delivered over 250 Thanksgiving meals to breast cancer survivors on Sunday, 11/20/2022 in Lincoln, Omaha, Council Bluffs and across Nebraska and Western Iowa.

On Sunday, November 13, 2022, nearly 150 survivors attended the Project Pink’d annual Care to Share Thanksgiving event at The Post Event Center in Ralston, NE. 

On Saturday, November 5th volunteers gathered at a local church in Gretna to assemble Healing Hearts Kits to deliver across Nebraska and Western IA.

Project Pink’d will host their final complimentary live Bold & Brave Conversations webcast, Grief, Bereavement & Spirituality on Thursday, October 27 at 7pm via Zoom. Survivors, caregivers, and loved ones are welcome to register at projectpinkd.org.

Project Pink'd announces Jennifer Williams to Board of Directors

Project Pink'd, a local non-profit, recently announced Lisa Ferrer to the Board of Directors.

Survivors helping survivors through Healing Hearts Kits.

On Sunday, over 100 volunteers delivered Thanksgiving meals to almost 300 breast cancer survivors in Nebraska and Western Iowa.

Volunteers with Omaha non-profit Project Pink'd deliver 300 meals to breast cancer survivors leading up to Thanksgiving.

On Sunday, November 21, over 100 Project Pink’d volunteers will pick-up and porch deliver almost 300 complimentary Thanksgiving Meals to breast cancer survivors throughout the state of Nebraska and in Western Iowa. The complimentary meals for four are carefully pre-cooked and packaged frozen for survivors to share in the comfort of their homes on Thanksgiving Day; all they need to do is simply reheat the meal and enjoy.   

On November 13, over 70 Project Pink’d volunteer's porch delivered over 210 complimentary Sweet Treats to Care to Share Thanksgiving participants. Sweet Treats were mailed to those living outside of the Omaha and Lincoln markets. Participating survivors were encouraged to cozy up with their complimentary delicious, sweet treat and a warm beverage and tune into virtual Care to Share Thanksgiving program on Sunday, November 14. The program provided survivors the opportunity to connect with other survivors, hear inspirational stories from survivors who are now thriving and have some fun. 

Breast cancer survivors encouraged each other in the Care to Share Thanksgiving program hosted by Project Pink'd on Sunday. The event was emceed by Mary Nelson, 3 News Now anchor. Survivors like Maya Wittmaack, LaVonne Rosenthal and Kellyn Daly sought solace through the organization.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the California-based John Wayne Cancer Foundation funded a program to increase breast cancer research and awareness in Latina women from the Omaha metro area.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close as No Shave November begins. In one Nebraska community, they've combined the two to keep a good thing growing.

This week’s show featured Kelly Konen and Stephanie Nichols with Project Pink’d discussing breast cancer awareness and resources with Scott Voorhees.

Being diagnosed with advanced breast cancer or having your disease progress to this point can be emotionally, physically, and spiritually draining. At Project Pink'd, we understand having open and honest conversations regarding healthcare, treatment, and future planning may be a daunting task for many survivors and their families. 

A complimentary 12-month live webcast series featuring a multidisciplinary team of expert panelists, will provide breast cancer survivors, their caregivers and loved ones, the guidance they deserve, the answers they need and the direction to get them started. 

Featured Conversation Starters Include: Diagnosis | A Partner’s Perspective | Planning for Disease Progression | Quality of Life | Palliative Care | Planning for End of Life (Advance Directives, Financials, Personal) | Survivor Management |Caregiver Management | Grief | Spirituality   

Our complimentary live webcast series will be held the last Thursday of each month (excluding November) via Zoom for survivors, caregivers, and loved ones. Each session will last between 1-1.5 hours. Those interested may register for as many sessions as you they would like to attend at projectpinkd.org. 

This complimentary program is available to breast cancer survivors in Nebraska and Western Iowa and is made possible by the many generous donors and supporters. 

F3Omaha PAX Escobar and Skidz had the honor of sitting down with Project Pink'd Founder & Thriver, Cynthia Sturgeon.

Project Pink'd Marketing Communications Director and 2X Thriver, Kelly Konen and Project Pink'd Executive Advisory Council Member and 3X Thriver, Stephanie Nichols sit down with Neil Nelkin to share their personal stories and the many ways Project Pink'd makes a difference in the community.

During the month of October, dozens of organizations have rallied around the Project Pink'd mission, hosting a variety of fundraising activities to support the survivors they serve. F3Omaha has taken a unique approach, creating a friendly competition between various workout sites. Their efforts have prompted Project Pink'd to launch TEAM UP. Fundraising for champions, this initiative allows for co-workers, teammates, family members or school rivals to compete and make a big difference in the community. 

A magical celebration of hope, inspiration and survivorship, Project Pink’d rolled out the Pink’d carpet and once again broke records at their EXPOSED: It’s Personal 12th Annual Benefit on Friday. Held at the Embassy Suites La Vista, breast cancer survivors and supporters joined forces raising $550,000 in just a few hours.

It's Personal
Nebraska’s non-profit Project Pink’d is coming off its biggest fundraiser ever as the founder prepares for the next chapter.
WOWT's Brian Mastre, shares her story.

Simply put, it feels good to give back.

Doing good, whether it’s sharing treasure, time or kindness, gives the receiver a warm hug of caring and you a sense of joy that comes with helping others. Whether you choose to support large, medium or small nonprofits, or the neighbor down the street, what you do lifts up someone’s parent, sibling, a veteran, another human being.

Project Pink'd, Inc. is one of over 350 local non-profits participating in SHARE Omaha on December 1.

The holiday season looks to be a difficult time for all of us due to the pandemic, but that’s not stopping one area non-profit from doing what they can to make the holidays a little brighter for those fighting cancer. For this Thanksgiving, Project Pink’d and nearly 100 volunteers porch delivered pre-cooked dinners --- turkey breast with all the trimmings --- to 235 breast cancer survivors in Nebraska and western Iowa.

The holidays can be a challenging time for breast cancer survivors. For Project Pink’d, an Omaha-based non-profit, providing breast cancer survivors an opportunity to connect with other survivors and give thanks for their many blessings at their annual Care to Share Thanksgiving event has been a long-standing tradition. Although unable to join together physically this year, Project Pink’d was fully committed to continuing their Care to Share Thanksgiving tradition with the breast cancer survivor community. 

For Cassie, a 16 year breast cancer survivor, having her Pretty in Patina team host a fundraiser for Project Pink'd during the month of October is PERSONAL.

"I went through Breast Cancer over 16 years ago in Oklahoma, removed from family and familiarity. We did not have an organization like Project Pink'd where I was, or at least I was never informed of one. I found it very difficult to find solace in those who had not been through cancer, and as I struggled so did my marriage, until it ended. As a woman, breast cancer had a profound effect on me and I was unfortunately not given the support system that I believe to be essential for many of us. I always longed for a safe place to express myself without judgement. This is not a sad story though, I found my strength exactly where I was supposed to on my journey.

I found out about Project Pink'd through social media. I had moved back to Nebraska after cancer and was looking to meet some ladies who had been through a similar experience to me. I went to a free Yoga class and loved it. There's something beautiful about being surrounded by those like you, it removes the insecurities we feel after cancer, especially breast cancer.

My advice to anyone just beginning this journey is to grab ahold of those who have walked before you. As someone who struggled for many years to gain my self love and self confidence back, trust this: there is NO NEED to go through this alone. We have been there, maybe not in your exact spot, but we have been there. The doubt, the fear, the trying to keep a brave face, all of it. The biggest lesson I learned through cancer was that I did not need to go it alone. There is no need to be the strongest person in the room anymore, and it does not make us any weaker to need and want help. Family and friends are essential for recovery but a group of women who know exactly what you're feeling and thinking, now that is a recipe for success!

It’s important for Pretty in Patina to support a local organization in our area. As we are a company that understands the immediate and long term effects of breast cancer we are so grateful that Project Pinkd is working to help women through all stages of their journey. As we work to help women feel beautiful on the outside, we understand and value to work that must be done on the inside as well. We thank Project Pinkd for what they do to help survivors find their strength and beauty all over again!"

From day of diagnosis and beyond, a survivorship care plan is a key factor in a breast cancer survivors’ journey to thriving. Project Pink’d, an Omaha-based non-profit, continues to address the REAL issues survivors face after a diagnosis and is set to virtually host a complimentary survivorship program, Let’s Talk Surveillance on Thursday, October 15.

A complimentary event for breast cancer survivors, the upcoming live panel discussion will provide a safe place for interactive conversation with 4 distinguished expert panelists. Survivors will be empowered to ask the REAL questions regarding their survivorship care plan, educated on ways to enhance their partnership with their medical team and encouraged to become their best advocate.

Participants will be provided the opportunity to ask their questions during a 45 minute large group conversation and Q&A and a 45 minute small group break-out session and Q&A.

The Let’s Talk Surveillance survivorship program will be held via Zoom from 7pm-8:30pm on Thursday, October 15. Registration is required at www.projectpinkd.org

Meet Our Expert Panel:

Patti Higginbotham, ANP, AOCN | Genetics, Nurse Practitioner | Omaha Surgical Consultants

John Longo, MD | Radiation Oncology | Nebraska Cancer Specialists

Geetha Palaniappan, MD | Oncologist | Nebraska Cancer Specialists

Roalene J. Redland, MD | Surgeon |Omaha Surgical Consultants

This complimentary program is available to breast cancer survivors in Nebraska and Western Iowa and is made possible by the many generous donors and supporters.

Maggie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, but that didn't stop her from making a difference. Since 2016, her SOCKtober fundrasing campaigns have raised thousands of dollars for Project Pink'd, making a big impact on breast cancer survivors right here in our local communities. Hear why giving back to Project Pink'd is personal for Maggie.

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.

A few months ago, Omaha's Newsleader had a guest in studio asking you to buy socks. Turns out, a lot of you did. It was a fundraiser for Project Pink'd -- started by a woman named Maggie. She says Project Pink'd helped her see the light at the end of the tunnel when she was battling breast cancer.

Project Pink’d, an Omaha-based non-profit, continues to address the REAL issues survivors face after a diagnosis and is set to host a LIVE Panel, Let’s Talk Regaining Intimacy, on Thursday, February 20, 2020.

Leading Project Pink'd and supporting those diagnosed with breast cancer has always been personal for Cynthia & Dave Sturgeon. In this two-part Your Second Season podcast, you'll get an intimate look into how this power couple copes, prepares and makes the CHOICE to LIVE life to the fullest after a cancer re-diagnosis.

Leading Project Pink'd and supporting those diagnosed with breast cancer has always been personal for Cynthia & Dave Sturgeon. In this two-part Your Second Season podcast, you'll get an intimate look into how this power couple copes, prepares and makes the CHOICE to LIVE life to the fullest after a cancer re-diagnosis.

Local breast cancer survivors get together ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. 80 survivors celebrated at the Nebraska Medicine Bellevue clinic Sunday afternoon. The Medical Center and Project Pink'd teamed up to make the event happen. The survivors shared a Thanksgiving. Lunch and connected with other survivors who are now thriving. The goal was to make it a relaxed and intimate atmosphere so they all feel comfortable. Each person was also given an additional complimentary frozen Thanksgiving meal for them to have on the holiday.

Project Pink'd welcomed 80 survivors to their 4th annual Care to Share Thanksgiving event on Sunday. It was a day filled with fellowship, survivorship and Thriving.

Sunday, they held a thanksgiving luncheon right here in Lincoln.

As the holiday season approaches, Project Pink'd wanted to lighten the burden for survivors going through treatment, or those who just need a little extra care.

They hosted a 'Care to Share thanksgiving meal at the Cornhusker Marriott.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

Anyone can fall victim. Cynthia Sturgeon, President/Founder of Project Pink'd, knows this first hand.

Beyond the physical struggle of tests, treatments, and follow-ups to beat the disease, the diagnosis can mean a daunting drain on financial resources. Many face a crushing $15,000 burden in just 60 to 90 days.

Project Pink'd raises money to provide financial assistance for survivors undergoing treatment.

In this podcast, Project Pink'd Founder & President, Cynthia Sturgeon sits down with Susan and Cynthia from Your Second Season to discuss her personal breast cancer journey, the evolution of Project Pink'd and how she "Gets To" live life to the fullest each day.
Take some time to listen and we promise, you will be INSPIRED!

Project Pink'd, a local non-profit, recently announced Anne Friedrichsen to Board of Directors

"Receiving a diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 35 was certainly not something I had envisioned for my life or my future. To say I was shocked and numb would be an understatement. However, it wasn’t the six rounds of chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomy, 28 rounds of radiation, or multiple other surgeries that I struggled with most. The emotional strain and fear are what nearly broke me. I’ve chosen to firmly believe that there are no accidents in life and there was a purpose for my diagnosis, battle, and ultimately, victory over breast cancer.

My recent appointment to the Project Pink’d Board of Directors is one of those purposes. During treatment, I received numerous supports from Project Pink’d and those supports gave me the opportunity to witness firsthand the direct impact that Pink’d has on survivors in the Omaha metro area and beyond. Having been a 2018 Dare to Thrive Retreat participant allowed me to put my life back together post-treatment and provided me with tools to take my life back without living in constant fear of recurrence. I had been searching for a way to give back and become more involved with Project Pink’d and I simply could not say no when the opportunity to become a board member presented itself.

I bring with me an extensive coaching and mentoring background. As an educator for the past 16 years, most recently as an instructional coach and facilitator, a major focus for me has been building honest relationships and fostering a mutual trust and respect. Working with an individual, understanding where they are on their journey at any given moment, and moving them forward-even the slightest bit forward-is progress and my mission. This philosophy applies to both my work and my personal relationships.

My most important purposes for thriving are my two wonderful daughters, Keary (11 yrs.) and Elise (8 yrs.), and my supportive husband Jason. I simply would not be the person I am today without them and the relationships I have formed with Project Pink’d."

Project Pink'd Founder & President, Cynthia Sturgeon and Marketing Communications Director, Kelly Konen join NRG Media's Neil Nelkin on Issues & Answers.

An Omaha woman once diagnosed with breast cancer is looking to help others going through the grueling fight she had just a few years ago.
During October, Maggie is selling funky and fun socks to help raise money for Project Pink'd, a program that supports breast cancer survivors. She's dubbed the event SOCKtober.

Project Pink'd EAC Member & Thriver, Stephanie Nichols and Project Pink'd Marketing Communications Director & Thriver, Kelly Konen talk with Lucy Chapman about all things Pink'd. Hear their personal story of how Project Pink'd made a difference in their lives and what the organization does to support breast cancer survivors right here in Nebraska and Western Iowa. It's Personal!

Pink Ribbon Rodeo is a nonprofit organization to help to help survivors thrive in the community.
Brandon Deyo and Kelly Konen visit KETV to promote the event.

Did you know up to 70% of breast cancer survivors report moderate to high levels of fear of cancer recurrence? Project Pink’d, an Omaha-based non-profit, continues to address the REAL issues survivors face after a diagnosis and is set to host a new survivorship program, Let’s Talk Recurrence | Fear. Risk. Reality on Thursday, September 12.

A complimentary event for breast cancer survivors, their caregivers and loved ones, the upcoming live panel discussion will provide a safe place for interactive conversation with 6 distinguished expert panelists. Moderated by Cynthia Sturgeon, Founder & President of Project Pink’d, and a 12 year survivor, attendees will be provided the opportunity to ask their questions during a 60 minute conversation Q&A.

“Survivors and their caregivers are often overwhelmed by the number of opinions given and choices to be made with a breast cancer diagnosis. It takes a multi-disciplinary team to provide the best care for breast cancer survivors and communication is imperative for both the patient and medical team. I am so thankful for the support we have received from our medical community. Their dedication to share information and commitment to patient care is exemplary. We are excited to provide a forum where medical professionals from different disciplines and breast cancer survivors can have an open and honest discussion about an important topic such as recurrence,” stated Project Pink’d Founder & President, Cynthia Sturgeon.

The Let’s Talk Recurrence live panel will be held at Reality Church located at 10659 Portal Road |La Vista, NE from 6pm-7:30pm on Thursday, September 12. Registration is required at www.projectpinkd.org

Program Itinerary:
6pm-7pm | 60 minute conversation and Q&A
7pm-7:30pm |30 minute social hour with light refreshments

Meet Our Expert Panel:
Barbara K. Clinkenbeard, MS, NP | Think Whole Personal Healthcare | Psycho-Oncology
Janet Grange, MD | Your Breast Healthcare | Surgery & Breast Specialist
Patti Higginbotham, AOCN, APRN, ANP | Omaha Surgical Consultants | Breast Health & Cancer Genetics
John Longo, MD | Nebraska Cancer Specialists | Radiation Oncology
Irina E. Popa, MD | Oncology Associates, P.C. | General Oncology
Shannon Wong, MD | Nebraska Medicine | Plastic Surgery

This complimentary program is available to breast cancer survivors in Nebraska and Western Iowa and is made possible by the many generous donors and supporters.

Sponsored by Project Pink'd, Nebraska Medicine experts provided an opportunity for those newly diagnosed to explore their surgical options AND interact with survivors who have been down similar paths at the BARE Event. We are proud of our community partnerships!

When Project Pink’d, Inc. was founded in 2010 by Cynthia Sturgeon, she had a vision to create a local organization that filled the gaps and provided support for breast cancer survivors after a diagnosis. Exposing the real issues survivors faced after a diagnosis and using her personal experiences to help others more easily navigate through the challenges, Cynthia’s vision became a reality. Thousands of survivors’ lives have been impacted by the compassionate survivorship programming and local network of support Project Pink’d provides each day.

For the second year in a row, Project Pink’d is proud to announce CHI Health as the Presenting Sponsor for their upcoming EXPOSED Annual Benefit.

“Serving local women with breast cancer, continually improving their care and dedicating our time and resources to them is a top priority for CHI Health. Having breast cancer is not a single event -- it’s a journey that can be scary and incredibly complex. That’s why the experience those women have is immensely important to us. Breast Cancer touches 1 in 8 women. It’s vitally important that CHI Health offers them an experience that is supportive, comforting, positive and reassuring so that they may thrive outside their diagnosis and create a meaningful future, “ said Kathy Bressler, CHI Health Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer.

The Project Pink'd EXPOSED: It’s Personal 10th Annual Benefit, will be held at the Embassy Suites La Vista on Friday, August 16. This event is SOLD OUT.

A record 900 supporters will come together to Paint the Town Pink'd on August 16. Making their brushstrokes count, event guests will celebrate and honor those diagnosed with breast cancer at our EXPOSED: It's Personal Annual Benefit. Guests will enjoy signature Pink’d martinis & hors d’oeuvres, silent & live auction, Gifts of Hope, inspiring Survivor Celebration and be amongst the first to witness the unveil of thriving masterpieces. Embracing their What’s Raised Here Stays Here philosophy, all proceeds from the evening will directly benefit survivors in NE and Western IA.

"We welcome CHI Health's continued role and increased support for our mission as Presenting Sponsor for our annual fund-raising event. It is vital to our success in helping survivors that leaders in our community, like CHI Health, validate our efforts through their support. We will continue providing services to survivors in our community so CHI Health and all our sponsors, supporters and volunteers are proud of what we accomplish together,” said Cynthia Sturgeon, Project Pink’d Founder and President.