Pink Affair benefits Cancer Support Community

A sell-out crowd attended Cancer Support Community Delaware’s Pink Affair Oct. 21 at Lewes Yacht Club, and they were generous with their support, as the event raised $20,000.

For the past 26 years, the group has ensured that no one has to face cancer alone by providing support groups, stress-reduction and educational programs, and nutrition classes by trained professionals, all offered at no cost.

The local office is based on the third floor at Beebe Healthcare’s Tunnell Cancer Center off Route 24 near Rehoboth Beach.

“We are grassroots in Sussex County by offering emotional, physical and financial support to cancer patients and their caregivers and families,” said Cancer Support Community Delaware Executive Director Nicole Pickles.

Pickles said the number of people using the organization’s services has been escalating. In 2019, the statewide organization served nearly 1,200 people, but over the past two-and-a-half years, they have served 24,000 people. She said the addition of virtual programming allowed the support group to keep providing services during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We now offer hybrid programming. We see that as the future of cancer support,” she said.

Guest speaker Clare Wilson, who is retired after a 45-year career in nursing and therapy, talked about the intricacies of supporting cancer patients, ending with a period of meditation for those attending the event, which included a luncheon, 50/50 and basket raffles, silent auction and boutique sales.

For more information or to make a donation, go to cscde.org.