Lisa Tyler fought two battles simultaneously: breast cancer and quality of life.
She didn’t have a lot of support, she says, and often had to make the hard decision between choosing medication and bills.
But Project Pink’d, a local non-profit organization, stepped in to help her, Tyler says.
“I received a grant to pay for my mortgage, food and gas for my car,” she says. “They saved my life. I had to choose between treatment [and] my dog going without food.”
Cynthia Sturgeon, founder and Project Pink'd, says the organization helps people during their cancer fight and adjusting to life afterwards.
Also in the battle is the Omaha fire union, Local 385. Four years ago, it partnered with the non-profit by selling T-shirts to highlight breast cancer awareness. Last year, it painted a fire hydrant pink – even encouraging people to take pictures and upload them online with the hashtag: Get Pink’d. Every shared photo led to a dollar donation to Project Pink’d.
This year, it’s pink lights.
“We just thought it was a great opportunity that everybody can put a lightbulb in front of their house,” says Capt. Trevor Towey with the union.
The effort is known as “Light It Up Pink’d.”
For five dollars, people can join the fight by purchasing light bulbs at the Union Hall near 60th and Grover. The partnership is urging people to light them up outside their homes during October, coinciding with the awareness month.
“If we can strengthen and help the life of a survivor,” Sturgeon says. “We not only strengthen that survivor, [but also the] family which means we strengthen that community.”
To learn more about “Light It Up Pink’d,” click here.
