Peninsula Goes Pink features golf, walk, and pickleball
Perhaps it is the “P” in their community’s name, but the residents of The Peninsula sure do know how to go pink for a cause they care about.
The second annual Peninsula Goes Pink was held Oct. 2-3 and featured a full-field golf tournament, a walk and a pickleball tournament to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer patients.
Things teed off with the 120-player golf tournament Oct. 2. Susan Sacchetti was named chair of the event last year and one of her stipulations was that men would also be allowed to play, allowing the field to fill up, resulting in more money for their chosen charity of choice, Unite for HER.
“Unite for HER is a nonprofit organization,” said Sacchetti, a survivor. “I was diagnosed nine years ago with bilateral breast cancer, and it's an organization whose slogan is ‘By Your Side,’ and as I said in many of my talks here, there's a second journey to breast cancer that nobody talks about. You get your diagnosis, it rocks your world, it changes so much for you, but all you can focus on is, ‘What do I need to do to get myself on the road to recovery?’ Whether it's surgery, chemo, whatever treatments are chosen, we all have in our mind a finish line, and that's when you finish that treatment. During that time, Unite for HER steps in and they are there for support. They offer nutritional support; they have a nutritionist come into your home talking about products you use and reducing all those cancer-causing chemicals that are in them.”
Last year, the event raised $12,500 for the organization, and this year Penisula Goes Pink added nearly 50% more to that donation, writing a check for $18,500 to the Paoli, Pa., organization.
“They cover extra services that insurance would never cover for you, so there's not a dime out of pocket for the patient,” Sacchetti said. “They provide farm-fresh produce and vegetables – it's just amazing what they do. Every single dollar goes to the breast cancer patient.”
On the second day, survivors, supporters and a few pups gathered at the clubhouse for a 5K walk through the picturesque neighborhood that featured signs of survivors, fighters and those needing to be remembered. It was the first year the event featured a walk and allowed attendees to see no matter where they were, they were not alone in their fight.
“The enthusiasm, the energy here is just amazing,” Sacchetti said. “It speaks volumes for the people in this community. I'm just so proud to be a part of it.”
The final event, Pickle in Pink!, was also an addition to the fundraising drive and gave people who might not play golf a chance to donate funds and show support.
Sacchetti she felt very supported by her husband, who was diagnosed with cancer himself around the same time. But, sometimes that isn’t always the case with women.
“There are a lot of women out there that don't have that supportive partner, and it breaks my heart,” Sacchetti said. “It's so sad because I always say that nothing is stronger than the human spirit, but when your spirit is broken by not having support, you start to lose hope.”
Sacchetti remembers those around her reminding her how strong she was and that she had the make-up to get through such a life-altering event. But she said she needed her husband to tell loved ones.
“I went to my husband's office to tell him, and the look in his eyes was ... it was very difficult. And he just took me by the hands, and he said, ‘We're gonna get through this,’ Sacchetti said.
Recently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force shifted from encouraging women to start screening between the ages of 40 and 50, based on their own individual decision, to recommending that all women start getting screened when they turn 40, but Sacchetti believes women should consider starting sooner. She cited advancements in screening that don’t require as much exposure to radiation such as some ultrasound technology used for detection.
For more information about services offered by Unite for HER, go to uniteforher.org.
Sacchetti said the nonprofit is already working with local organizations like ChristianaCare, Tunnell Cancer Center and the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.
