McCracken: ‘That makes a difference’

Power of Pink celebrated its 13th year of service to women diagnosed to breast cancer by raising $40,051.93 to help support the six nominated ladies of 2023.

Janice McCracken, Power of Pink founder and organizer, said with the addition of the six ladies from this year, the organization has helped 50 women total and raised $3661,822.61.

A large part of the donations come from the Power of Pink’s annual banquet, auction and walk.

“I was a little worried this year because I wasn’t getting the sign-up forms in for the annual walk as soon as I typically do,” she said. “I thought, ‘We have got to get some more people.’ But it turned out just fine; we ended up with about 250 for the walk in May.”

McCracken said it is typical to see about 200 or more people every year for the walk.

“In addition, this year’s banquet was a sell out,” she said. “I was worried we wouldn’t have enough room. The Fairview Community Center has been wonderful to us.”

McCracken said on top of donations of the venue and tables, she also works with a company who donated money to put toward any costs for the banquet.

“This way, we won’t take anything from the funds raised for the recipients,” she said. “The last two years, we have had a PRCA Team Roper named Coleman Proctor donate the proceeds from auctioning off pink saddle pads. Last year he donated $1,800, and this year, he auctioned off two and donated $4,100.”

McCracken said the Power of Pink is still working with Plunder, as well.

“This year, they weren’t able to donate financially,” she said. “But, they did supply jewelry to the recipients and for the auction.”

McCracken said the best thing about this year was how all of the women really banded together.

“They formed their own little group to stay in touch and support each other,” she said. “They want to host a Pink Ladies get together before the walk so that former Pink Ladies can offer encouragement and support to the new ladies.

“That makes a difference.” The annual banquet for 2024 will be on May 10, and the walk follows on May 11.

“People are so giving, and we have a great time,” McCracken said. “People show up to support and give back in honor of the Pink women who have passed.”

From monetary donations to emotional support, or comfort items like quilts, former Pink Ladies and their families are ready to welcome the new recipients with love.

“It is hard when the former ladies have passed away,” McCracken said. “We always recognize all of the Pink Ladies at every Banquet.

“I got a letter from a former Pink Lady from 2022, she explained what Power of Pink meant to her. She said, ‘This money helps people in different ways. Sometimes it saves their car or their house, but for me, it saved my life. I couldn’t afford my medications and I wasn’t able to work. It saved my life; I just want you to know that.’” McCracken is also traveling and attending other Breast Cancer Awareness events.

“We went to Napa, Idaho, and they had a similar banquet, but they had more than 750 people,” she said. “There is another woman who was inspired by Power of Pink and started her own organization. She makes blessing boxes.

“We are trying to get bigger and better every year, we are learning of new ideas, and trying to add to ours. One thing I would like to see is more businesses getting involved with Power of Pink.”

McCracken said the entire point is raising money to give to the Pink Ladies.

“We have a lot of local businesses we would love to see get involved,” she said. “In fact, Xpressions Beauty Studio in Cassville will be offering $10 pink tinsel and pink extensions in October, and everything will be donated to the Power of Pink.”

Those who wish to get involved or donate can visit powerofpinkmo.com. The link to register for the 2024 Power of Pink walk is https://form.jotform. com/231346367207152.

This year, six women received a total of $6,675.32 each. The information about this year’s recipients was found of the Power of Pink website as well.

Linda Forrest, became the first female deputy in Tulsa, Okla., retiring after 27 years as an upper staff member. In 2017, she was diagnosed with DCIS which followed with a lumpectomy and 5 years of estrogen inhibitors. Genetic testing showed she was prone to breast cancer and other cancers as well. After her surgery, Forrest, thought her cancer battle was over until 5 years later when she found out she had stage 3 breast cancer in her other breast. Forrest said without her husband, her friends and God, she couldn’t have made it through.

Brenda Kelso is 55 years old and was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on Oct. 5, 2022. Although she went through Chemotherapy, it wasn’t killing the tumor, so they changed it in December. She was being drained both physically and financially due to the treatments. She has a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery in the spring.

Vicki Forester is a 41-yearold mother of a 10-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. She put off getting her first mammogram when she turned 40, and around her 41st birthday in December 2022, she found a sore lump on her rib under her right breast. After an extensive mammogram, ultrasound and exam, she was told she had breast cancer and two days later after a biopsy she was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in her left breast. Forester had a double mastectomy in March. She said she chooses to believe that God’s hands are on her situation, and he is walking by her with every step.

Patricia “Patty” Dunne is 59 years old and was diagnosed in October 2022 with Invasive Ductal Cell Carcinoma after a routine mammogram. She is a Practical Nurse at the VA community Clinic in Marshfield, Mo. She had a double mastectomy in December and still has many appointments for the reconstruction process. She is taking Tamoxifen and will continue to for the next 7 to 10 years. Dunne had not missed a routine mammogram since she was 35 years old.

Jill Teter, said her cancer journey started when she was 18 and her 48-year-old mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mom beat the cancer and lived for 5 years cancer free until it was found in her bones. She fought for 5 more years before she passed. In 2020, her partner passed after a fight with kidney and bone cancer. In addition, her best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, but has beaten her cancer and is doing fine. Then in October 2022, Teter was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery in February 2023.

Misty Lane, a 49-year-old Barry County native, whose husband is a cancer survivor, was diagnosed with IDC breast cancer on Dec. 7, 2022. She started chemo on Dec. 29, 2022. Nine months before her own diagnosis she watched her grandmother pass away from stomach cancer, but Lane remembers her strength more than anything else. 2023 was a year of chemotherapy, radiation, hormone blocking medications, and losing her hair was a difficult process, but through it she has learned to be proud of how she looks.