Annual Let’s Pink Out to raise awareness, funds for cause
One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
Organized by the San Cap Pink Project, Let’s Pink Out will feature activities during October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month — to raise funds to help those in the island community who are impacted.
San Cap Pink Project founder and breast cancer survivor Mary Bondurant explained that over a decade ago, she was at a fundraiser when the then-Sanibel fire chief asked her about how to get the mobile mammogram coach to the fire station. In planning the event, Bondurant learned about Pink Out events.
“I felt that was the way I could give back to the Sanibel community for the past two years,” she said, adding that the island had supported her while she had gone through her own journey with cancer.
Over the years, one single annual event grew into a month of activities.
Funds raised during Let’s Pink Out benefit uninsured and underinsured individuals in the community who are in need of mammograms, as well as enable the San Cap Pink Project to assist with any other needs.
“Throughout the year what we do is reach out to people that we have heard are going through a cancer journey,” Bondurant said, explaining that they do more than cover mammograms for those in need.
“We send out gift baskets and care baskets, especially when they’re going through chemotherapy,” she added. “We help them with their cancer-related needs, like rides to appointments or prescriptions.”
The San Cap Pink Project also provides support by directing individuals to resources.
“We try to bring joy during a time when it’s not so joyful,” Bondurant said.
This year, the annual Pink Out Picnic is set for Oct. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District’s Station 171. A pickleball tournament, the annual Dink For Pink will be held on Oct. 28-29 at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel. The annual Pink Tea Party will take place on Nov. 7 at Cielo on Sanibel.
Marking its 11th year — because it could not be held last year due to Hurricane Ian — the Pink Out Picnic is open to the community. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is sponsoring the buffet lunch, serving up wraps, chips and more. All cancer survivors can enjoy it for free, with donations asked for others.
“We will be doing a sit-down picnic,” she said. “We’ll have the traditional pink lemonade.”
Kay Casperson, owner of the Kay Casperson LifeStyle Spa & Boutique, will again hand out goodie bags to survivors in attendance, with Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream offering up cold treats.
“There will be music, Peter Redpath will be playing. There’ll be some vendors there showcasing their businesses,” Bondurant said. “We’ll have a couple of surprises of some people who will be there.”
Attendees can also take part in a raffle giveaway and an auction for donated items. The raffle prizes include massages, jewelry, restaurant gift cards, a hand bag and more, while the auction will feature a spa day, half-day fishing charter, pickleball paddles and lessons, and other high-end items to bid on.
“We will be selling our T-shirts that everyone every year is very supportive of,” she said.
There will also be visors and hats available for a donation.
Reservations are required by Oct. 24 to attend.
To make a reservation or for more information, visit PinkOutPicnic.com.
Bondurant noted that to-go lunches can be reserved for those unable to stay and take part.
Marking its second year — again due to Ian — the Dink For Pink tourney will feature men’s and women’s on Oct. 28, followed by mixed on Oct. 29. Both days cover skills levels of 2.0 to 5.0.
“We’re calling it a fun-raiser,” she said. “We want the community to come out and enjoy.”
Bondurant noted that Sundial is enthusiastic about the return of the event.
“For the tournament, we do give out awards for gold, silver and bronze levels for each division,” she said, noting that the trophy is unusually fun. “We actually give out a jar of pickles with balls on it.”
Superior Title Services is sponsoring the snack items available to players on both days.
“We do very healthy snacks,” Bondurant said. “Oranges, apples, grapes, to-go proteins.”
Attendees can bid on the same auction items from the Pink Out Picnic, with the winning bidders announced on the tourney’s second day. T-shifts, visors and hats will again be available by donation.
The entry fee per person is $65 for club members or $75 for non-members.
All players will receive a goodie bag.
Registrations are required by Oct. 25.
To register or for more information, visit PinkOutDinkForPink.com.
As for the annual Pink Tea Party, event tickets were sold out as of last week. However, there is a waiting list. Those interested in being added to the list can email pinkoutsanibel@gmail.com.
Bondurant thanked Cielo, Ron and Hope Hodges, Kingfisher Real Estate & Rentals, the LeAne Suarez Group, the Starr Family Team at John R. Wood, Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream, and Sundial.
“And most importantly, we want to thank Sanibel fire for their continued support of the picnic and the 100% support that they give us,” she said.
The community is encouraged to take part.
“Everybody’s been touched with some kind of cancer. Coming out to these events supports people in our community,” Bondurant said. “Over the years, with the research that has been done, breast cancer is survivable — and early detection is the key.”
For more information, visit PinkOutSanibel.com or @SanCapPinkProject on social media.
Fire Station 171 is at 2351 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel.
The Sundial Beach Resort & Spa is 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email