An Inspiring Night of Fundraising at the Columbus 2022 Ignite the Fight Event
Almost 250 People Gathered at The Estate for a Very Special Night.
Photo credit: Melissa Jones Photography
On October 13th, almost 250 people filled The Estate for the last Pink Ribbon Girls Ignite the Fight event of 2022.
As guests arrived, they enjoyed a cocktail hour and had the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items and purchase PRG merchandise.
We heard from National Board Members, Tony Reilly and Bruce Daniels about why they are “all in” with PRG. Once dinner was finished, two incredible speakers took the stage to share the impact that breast cancer has had on their lives.
Erica Chambers spoke about how living in a new city far from her family and friends added another level of stress to her cancer journey. A journey that began just as the world was shutting down with Covid. Pink Ribbon Girls became the friend that Erica truly needed. There were rides to treatment and the healthy meals when she was too weak to drive and cook. And the check-in calls from Jan Middleton our Director of Peer Support that helped Erica through the darkest time in her life.
Maddie Spielman then shared her story and how her family’s path is forever connected to Pink Ribbon Girls. Maddie is the daughter of Stefanie Spielman, a woman Heather Salazar met as they were both being treated for breast cancer. After Stefanie’s cancer returned for the fifth time, she told Heather “Don’t let my death be an excuse, you know your purpose.” With those words heavy on her heart, Heather wrote the grant application that would launch the meals, rides, and housecleaning services that PRG has now been providing for almost a decade. Maddie’s perspective on her mother’s battle and her work to find a cure for this horrible disease is something no one in the room will soon forget.
We are so grateful to everyone who helped us raise over $270,000 that evening so that Pink Ribbon Girls can continue to ensure that our Central Ohio area clients and their families fighting breast and gynecological cancers will not travel this road alone. We will be with them offering vital support including free healthy meals, rides to treatment, housecleaning essentials, peer support and education.
We couldn’t be more thankful for our Honorary Chairs, Jennifer and Kyle Lucus. And thank you to all of our sponsors who helped make the event a huge success. Especially The Ohio State University and Performance Columbus.
Don’t forget to scroll through the photo carousel at the top of this page to get a glimpse of the event. We hope to see you at the Columbus Ignite the Fight next year!