All photos by Ali Korn '21

Last week, the Westport community came together to show its true color; and the color was Pink.

On Oct. 3, Pink Aid held their eighth annual Luncheon and Fashion Show at Mitchells in Westport, Connecticut. Around 600 people attended the event in support of Pink Aid’s mission to improve the lives of women with breast cancer.

“Pink Aid is the pink lining for hope, encouragement and inspiration,” Amy Katz, co-founder of Pink Aid, said.

Highlights of the afternoon included a fashion show by designer Lela Rose and a guest speaker Marisa Acocella, who is a cartoonist and New York Times best-selling author. Additionally, there was the Warriors Celebration of Life Fashion Show, where survivors of breast cancer walked the runway with a family member or close friend.

According to their mission statement, Pink Aid’s goal is “to help underserved local women survive breast cancer treatment with support and dignity, to provide screening to women in financial need, and to empower breast cancer survivors to heal by helping and inspiring others.”

The luncheon was held to raise money in support of the 22 organizations that Pink Aid helps fund, including many hospitals and medical centers. Each year, they raise around $900,000 at the luncheon alone, providing most of the organization’s funds.

Under the organization, there is a separate program called Pink Purse which helps to provide emergency aid to individuals with breast cancer. “As women are going through the hardship of breast cancer, they are finding that their medical expenses are building up so they can no longer pay for some of their essential expenses,” Amy Katz, co-founder of Pink Aid, said.

One of the most important events of the day is the Warriors Celebration of Life Fashion Show. This year, the show featured 17 survivors of breast cancer walking the runway with a loved one on their arm, showing the world their strength and courage in their battle against breast cancer. Emma Saxon ’21, who has attended the luncheon for the past two years, says that the Warrior Fashion Show is her favorite part of the day as it is inspiring to her and it is fun to watch.

“The beauty about the Warrior Fashion Show is it gives a woman closure, it gives someone the ability to walk down the runway and know they have this entire community behind them, cheering, clapping for them.” Katz said.

Members of the Staples community have become involved in Pink Aid by joining the club at school. Tatiana Bichalo ’21, vice-president of the Staples Pink Aid Club, says that the club works to support Pink Aid by hosting bake sales, fundraisers and bringing awareness of Breast Cancer to Staples.