Power of Pink is celebrating its 14th year of service to women diagnosed with breast cancer by raising a record $53,442.90 in donations to four Pink Ladies of 2024.

Janice McCracken, Power of Pink founder and organizer, said including this year’s recipients, the organization has helped 54 women total and raised $415,265.51.

A large part of the donations come from the Power of Pink’s annual banquet, auction, and walk — and new as of 2024, the 5K run.

“2024 was our biggest year yet,” McCracken said. “The auction was the biggest we’ve ever had, and we had a great number of registrations for the walk/ run.”

McCracken said the addition of the 5K run this year made a difference.

“McKay Roofing sponsored that and helped get it started,” she said. “God sent me Liz McKay. She is a true blessing with getting the run going, as well as, bringing in more sponsors.”

With the addition of the 5K, people could register and choose between the walking trail or the run.

“We always do the walk/run and the banquet on Mother’s Day weekend,” McCracken said. “It’s a special time, and it makes a special and memorable day for these ladies to remember.”

The Power of Pink Foundation has an impact on the women it helps, and McCracken has never turned down a nomination.

“I do like to keep it at about four ladies just to give them the largest amount of money possible,” she said. “To be able to give them an amount of money that is really going to make a difference for them is important.

“These women take time from work to heal and go through treatments, but it is also the family that surrounds them.”

The Annual Banquet was moved to the Wheaton High School this year, and McCracken hopes that will continue.

“The Fairview Community Center has been amazing to us,” she said. “But this year, there was more space, and it looked so beautiful.”

McCracken has a few things she is planning to introduce in 2025, which will be detailed in a story preceding the annual walk and banquet in May next year.

“The biggest thing is we need more people to be involved,” she said. “We would love for more businesses to sponsor the T-shirts or the tables at the banquet.

“We were blessed with 52 T-shirt sponsors and 18 table sponsors this year, and that helps to pay the way for the past ladies to come and support the new ladies.”

Next year will be the 15th anniversary of the Power of Pink organization and McCracken said she aims to make it memorable.

“It has been such a blessing to see how it has grown from where it started to where it is now,” she said. “I never dreamed it would turn into what it did, I am proud of everyone who has been a part of it.”

McCracken said having the option to register for the walk and the banquet, as well as nominate women, through the website has been a huge help.

“It has taken a huge weight off my shoulders, and it is easy to do,” she said. “Nomination are open now and will remain open until Dec. 31.”

The final result for those nominated — cash in hand to help with anything from groceries to bills, vacations to transportation — is what McCracken said keeps her going into the 15th year.

“It is a load taken off their shoulders,” she said. “They have some peace and comfort with this money for whatever they need or want it for. In terms of money and time, this is something we can give back to them.”

McCracken also stressed she’s not a one-woman operation — everyone is involved.

“We as a community, everyone who donates, signs up for the walk/run or the banquet or helps in anyway, makes this work,” she said. “I am doing what God told me to do, which is to step up and help.”

In addition to taking nominations, McCracken is also taking donations for the auction, T-shirt sponsors, table sponsors, and baskets for the basket raffle.

“This year looked good; we plan to make it bigger and better every year,” she said.

People can reach McCracken at 417-4665401. Power of Pink is a 501C-3, and donations can be mailed to PO Box 37, Fairview. MO 64842.