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Date: 1/4/2023
LUDLOW – Founder of the Pink W.A.Y. (Women Around You) Foundation Robyn Hersey has received a generous donation that can increase with the help of other donors.
“The Pink Way Foundation has been offered an amazing opportunity and we are asking for help,” Hersey said.
Pink W.A.Y. have been gifted a $5,000 donation from an anonymous donor who has also agreed to match another $5,000 in any donations the foundation receives until Jan. 31.
The matching program will be called the Pink W.A.Y gift according to Hersey.
Hersey herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and had a tough time keeping up with the treatment bills.
Her treatment and recovery lasted 18 months. After 12 months the company she worked for would no longer carry her health insurance. It forced her to sell her house to pay off her debt.
Hersey said she started the foundation to raise money to help women going through breast cancer treatment pay their bills, not to raise money for research or cover hospital bills.
“After I got back on my feet and buy my house back, I wanted to find a way to help women financially while they were getting treated for breast cancer. I started my foundation to raise money for direct patient care,” Hersey said. For the past 14 years we have been able to help women put gas in their cars, food on their table, fix air conditioners and even put a woman and her family in a hotel in Boston to receive special care.”
Even though the donor wishes to remain anonymous, she decided to tell Hersey her story and reason for donating.
The donor told Hersey, “I am a 23-year breast cancer survivor who was fortunate to not have to worry about finances and the cost of my treatment. I hope this gift can, in a small way, help less fortunate women who struggle financially with the cost of life saving cancer treatment and supporting themselves and their families.”
Hersey added that the donor wanted to able to help generate more funds which is why she decided to donate $5,000 and match up to another $5,000.”
“This could potentially bring us another $5,000 on top of her $10,000. We are always on the pretense that no gift is too small. If someone donates $5, that turns into $10 or $25 turns into $50.
Hersey added that the foundation has already raised $500 that will turn into $1,000.
Hersey added, “We have been doing things here and there to raise money to help. This donation will go a long way.”
Hersey gives credit to Dennis Hackett from Reminder Publishing who wrote on article on the Pink W.A.Y. foundation last year.
“Last year, The Reminder ran a wonderful article about the foundation. It generated a lot of interest in the Pink W.A.Y. That is how this woman heard about our foundation and decided to donate. I got hundreds of donations but nothing like this,” Hersey added.
The Pink W.A.Y foundation hosts multiple events each year to help raise additional money on top of donations.
Hersey said, “We are planning to host another legends show where we get people who impersonate celebrities, a Spring Fling event, a sit-down dinner, a 5K walk, car show and some other events we think of.”
Hersey said to check out the Pink W.A.Y. Facebook page to donate by mail or event and keep track of upcoming events.
Interested parties can donate at www.facebook.com/thepinkwayfoundation/ or send any donation titled “Pink W.A.Y. Gift” to: The Pink W.A.Y. Foundation at 37 Alfred Circle Agawam, MA 01001. Checks can be made to: The Pink W.A.Y. Foundation.
For any other questions, Hersey said people can reach out at rockybn61@aol.com.