Pink Post 2: Bright Pink

Bright Pink is a non-profit that focuses on educating women on Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Through helping women at a young age to recognize risks and symptoms, they are helping women save their lives and the lives of their friends and family. They recently held their Bright Pink University event which graduated 20 more ambassadors to continue to further their mission. Carli Feinstein, the organization's Chief of Staff, helping me to understand more about this amazing information.

Women after registering for the Brighten Up Educational Workshops.



Q: How did the organization get started?

CF: Bright Pink was founded in 2007 by Lindsay Avner who lost both her great-grandmother and grandmother to breast cancer and watched her mother fight breast and ovarian cancer at a young age.

 

Q:How many ambassadors do you currently have?

CF: We currently have 60 Education ambassadors and 21 Support Ambassadors. Our Education Ambassadors are responsible for reaching 150 women each quarter through Brighten Up™ Educational Workshops and our Support Ambassadors are responsible for facilitating monthly Experiential Outreach Groups and supporting growth of their local high-risk networks.



Attendees at a Brighten Up class.

Q: Why do you look to get women involved at such a young age if their risk of being diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancers is low?

CF:One in eight women faces a lifetime risk of breast cancer and it is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 15 to 54. Ovarian cancer, while far less common than breast cancer, still affects many women: one in 67 faces a lifetime risk. Ovarian cancer is known as “the silent killer” because its symptoms can be difficult to detect. As a result, 2/3s of women diagnosed will die as a result, making ovarian cancer the deadliest gynecologic diseases.

Q: What is your suggestion to young women that are afraid of these topics?

CF: At Bright Pink, we believe that knowledge is power. We encourage young women to understand the true potential and gift that understanding their risk for these diseases can provide them. We ask them to collect their family history from both their mom and dad’s side of the family, and then complete Bright Pink’s Assess Your Risk tool at AssessYourRisk.org for a personalized risk assessment. You can print the results and take them to your next doctor’s appointment to help determine what steps you should take in your journey to take control of your breast and ovarian health. Knowing your risk for breast and ovarian cancer does not make you a victim, it empowers you to be a strong advocate for your health.