‘It started from a family’ | “United in Pink” celebrates its 17th year of serving people with breast cancer
‘It started from a family’ | “United in Pink” celebrates its 17th year of serving people with breast cancer
United in Pink serves 23 counties across Central Georgia and works to improve the quality of life for both men and women fighting breast cancer.
MACON, Ga. — According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer.
And for one Macon family, they never could’ve imagined that they’d be touched by the disease.
At first glance, it’s clear Kira McCauley and her mom Lizette Pinzon have an unbreakable bond.
But under the surface, there’s a reason there’s so much downtime these days.
“You just don’t think it’s going to happen to you. In late August, my mom was diagnosed,” McCauley said. “At first it was Stage I invasive ductal carcinoma.”
A surprise stage I diagnosis soon developed into Stage II after surgery, and with it lots of questions and uncertainty for the entire family.
“For a second you think that we might lose her,” McCauley said. “Doctors help of course, they’ll talk to you about what you’re going to do and then they’re out. You’re leaving and you’re like ‘I don’t know what to do.’ I feel like that’s kind of where United in Pink picks up.”
United in Pink is celebrating its 17th year serving people and families experiencing breast cancer. The organization serves 23 counties across Central Georgia, and works to improve the quality of life for both men and women fighting the disease.
Executive Director Laura Paxton launched the group after her own mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It started from a family, and now our focus is to support other families,” Paxton said.
Their small but mighty team provides customized care for patients and survivors from the day of diagnosis.
But their work goes far beyond just that, to reach every family member.
“The pink packs come right after we have that first conversation,” Paxton said. “It’s just an extension of love, it’s literally a love offering from one survivor to the next that’s being diagnosed that says ‘You’ve got this.'”
That extension of love continues through emotional, educational and social programming for those who need it most, and at no cost.
McCauley says the team was there from the beginning. She says her daughter and her niece will attend the organization’s annual Kids in Pink Camp next year.
“I was a mess in that office talking to them and they could tell,” McCauley said. “And that same day, they jumped on it and got me some help.”
But for the whole family, they have a circle of support to guide them through.
“They’re there for the family,” McCauley said. “It’s definitely opened up a whole new world for us.”
United in Pink’s services are free, but they rely solely on community events and donations.
For more information on United in Pink and their resources and upcoming events, click here.