Pink Out Picnic Lunch to honor cancer survivors, fighters
It is estimated that over 252,710 women and approximately 2,470 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
On Oct. 25, the seventh annual Pink Out Picnic Lunch will celebrate and honor cancer survivors, fighters and caregivers with food, raffles and fellowship and the community is encouraged to stop by. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fire Station 171, at 2351 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel.
“I wanted to give back to the island for all they did for me during my journey,” event founder and survivor Mary Bondurant, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 but is now clear, said.
The event stemmed from then-Sanibel Fire Chief Dan Duncan asking about how to get Radiology Regional Center’s Mobile Mammo Coach to the station and raising awareness for the cause.
“The event kind of unfolded from there,” she said. “Since then, it’s been an ongoing event.”
For lunch, Cip’s Place will provide a spread of options off of its menu.
“It’s geared toward being healthy,” Bondurant said.
Picnic tables will be set up, with everything decorated in pink.
“It’s kind of served family style, so you can come at any time,” she said.
There will be refreshments, like pink lemonade donated by Bailey’s General Store.
Lunch is free for cancer survivors, fighters and caregivers. Others are asked to provide a monetary donation, which goes to F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, or an item donation for the food pantry. The funds cover free mammograms for uninsured women and men, plus any other expenses for those in need.
“Other cancer-related needs for people on the island,” Bondurant said.
Unique centerpieces will be set up to collect the donations.
“They’re actually the firemen’s boots that have been decorated pink,” she said.
Kay Casperson LifeStyle Spa & Boutique has donated 50 gift bags for survivors and fighters who attend. Bondurant explained that they will be filled with cosmetics and other skin care items.
“We’ll have some music going on,” she said.
To raise additional funds for F.I.S.H.’s efforts to assist with mammograms and such, there will be several raffle items up for grabs. Multiple restaurants on the islands have donated gift cards.
“Then we have a lot of the stores that have donated pink items, trinkets,” Bondurant said.
Some of the prizes include a sand dollar necklace and bracelet from Suncatchers’ Dream, two golf outings for up to four people and pink items out of the pro shop from Sanibel Island Golf Club, pink biking accessories from Billy’s Bikes & Rentals and an one-hour relaxation and pain relief session.
T-shirts are also available for a $10 donation.
“We have many sponsors who have sponsored multiple mammograms,” she said.
The list includes Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Heidrick & Co. Insurance, R.S. Walsh Landscaping, Superior Title and Kennedy Construction. In addition, the Sanibel fire district, Cip’s, Bailey’s, Kay Casperson and Radiology Regional have been partners since the event’s start.
Bondurant welcomed everyone to come out.
“Cancer affects everyone’s life,” she said. “This is a time when the community can just come together and share in something that takes your mind off of what’s going on in life.”
Vendor spaces and sponsorships are still available for the event.
On Oct. 27, Let’s Pink Out will have volunteers set up at Bailey’s bagging groceries for tips to help raise additional funds for F.I.S.H. and its efforts. They will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, text 239-839-3663 or email PinkOutSanibel@gmail.com.