‘Passionately Pink for the Cure’ Campaign Helps UPMC Cancer Centers Raise Money for Patient Assistance Fund

PITTSBURGH, November 7, 2006 – UPMC Cancer Centers supported two cancer-related causes at once by taking part in the “Passionately Pink for the Cure” fundraising campaign, a nationwide program held by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. UPMC’s effort raised more than $1,200, which will equally benefit both the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and UPMC Cancer Centers Patient Assistance Fund for Patient Care.

Participating UPMC Cancer Centers staff and patients supported the cause by donating at least three dollars and sporting the color pink as well as stickers to show their involvement. At the Cancer Centers office in Magee-Womens Hospital, employees showed their passion for pink by decorating their offices with pink balloons, enjoying a “Passionately Pink” cake and giving pink carnation bouquets to their patients.

The new, year-round “Passionately Pink for the Cure” campaign kicked off nationally during October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. UPMC Cancer Centers celebrated their passion for the cure on Oct. 20. The money collected was equally divided to benefit each of the two causes and will be used to support breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and partial, short-term financial assistance for eligible cancer patients through UPMC Cancer Centers Patient Assistance Fund for Patient Care.

“The fund has helped me a lot,” said Molly Cole, a UPMC Cancer Centers patient. “And I think the event was a great way to get the word out about breast cancer awareness,” she said. Cole received money for nutritional needs from the fund, which helped to lessen the burden of her many health care-related costs.

To date, UPMC Cancer Centers Patient Assistance Fund for Patient Care has spent more than $6,000 to help cancer patients with financial need.

To make a donation to UPMC Cancer Centers Patient Assistance Fund for Patient Care, call 412-623-4700 or send your donation to the Development Department, UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1B, 5150 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15232.

About UPMC Cancer Centers Patient Assistance Fund for Patient Care

UPMC Cancer Centers Patient Assistance Fund for Patient Care helps patients ease some financial barriers to completing their treatment by providing partial, short-term financial assistance. According to Hillman physician and medical oncologist, Barry C. Lembersky, MD, many patients receiving cancer treatment experience a substantial loss of income after only one year of treatment, creating an undue burden on those already in financial need. Some of these patients may make decisions to forego their treatment with dire consequences for survival and quality of life. The fund is designed to help eligible patients with costs related to transportation, medical equipment, nutrition, prosthetic devices and lodging necessary for repeat treatments.

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