Last October, Lisa Brown opened her home to the community hosting a Pink Drink fundraiser for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. The event brought neighbors and friends together where they raised more than $5,000! Lisa shared with us about her personal journey with breast cancer journey and what inspired her to organize the event.
What made you want to host a fundraiser for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition?
Breast cancer has been too prevalent in my life, through personal challenges and the challenges of many of my friends. The Coalition’s tag of “Finding a Cure Now….So Our Daughters Don’t Have To” hit home, as I remember how difficult it was to tell my daughter during my first diagnosis. Protecting our children is a priority, and the concern of my cancer diagnosis possibly increasing the probability of my daughter’s chances is overwhelming. Holding a fundraiser was my way of bringing attention to the issue and feeling like I was contributing to the cause.
Can you share how breast cancer has touched your life?
I was first diagnosed in 2010. I chose mastectomy, reconstruction, and medication as the plan of action. In 2019, I had a reoccurrence. At that time, I underwent another mastectomy and radiation. Unfortunately, in 2025, I started the process of dealing with breast cancer as a metastatic disease, which is definitely a different challenge. In addition, I’ve had too many friends that have had to face the challenges presented with the diagnosis.
Tell us about Pink Drink event- the atmosphere and how it came together from start to finish.
My husband and I had just moved into the Winding Creek 55+ Development in May of 2025, the month I started a chemo regiment. It was a difficult summer with the stress of a major move and the difficulty of regulating the medication. But, I have amazing friends and found that I acquired wonderful new neighbors, and this support was SO valuable.
So, we opened our house to everyone willing to give to the cause, offered some food & some fun pink drinks….and they showed up! We found out that our house is probably not meant to entertain about 80 people, but I love a bit of chaos! It was a sea of pink and a spirit of hope for sure. I knew how many of my friends had been affected, but I was surprised how many of my new neighbors were also affected by breast cancer.
Your community was able to raise over $5,000 – incredible! What do you feel were the keys to the event’s success?
I am just totally blessed with wonderful friends and neighbors who are very generous in their support of others…and this event’s success is evidence of that generosity. When my daughter and son-in-law counted the money after the event, we were shy of the $5,000 mark, but my daughter requested donations from several of her friends, unbeknownst to me….and money was sent via Venmo by the next morning to put us over the $5,000 mark! God willing, I would love to hold the 2nd Annual Pink Drink event this October!
How do you feel knowing your efforts will make an impact on the lives of Pennsylvanians facing breast cancer and researchers working to find a cure?
I have followed the Coalition’s work for many years, and I have seen the knowledge of the disease increase since 2010. We certainly aren’t where we need to be to ensure our daughters don’t have to experience this disease, so continued research and advocacy are needed. I’m hopeful that the Coalition’s support of research will continue the work of our medical professionals in a positive trajectory.
If you were to speak to someone who is considering becoming a PBCC Grassroots Partner by fundraising, what would you share?
Just do it! Every bit helps! Share your passion….enlist some support….and you will find that so many have been affected and want to help.
Thank you to Lisa and the entire Winding Creek community for your support of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition!
Are you interested in hosting your own fundraiser for the PBCC? Head on over to pbcc.me/grassrootpartners to review our grassroot partners guidelines, tips for getting started and more!
