“Think Pink” Raises Money For Breast Cancer Patients

WHEELING - The public turned out Thursday night to "Think Pink" and raise money to assist breast cancer patients and their families.

The 22nd annual "Think Pink" fundraiser to benefit those living with breast cancer took place at Wheeling Park's White Palace. About 350 people were in attendance.

“All the proceeds stay locally in the tri-state area," reported Julie Joseph, co-chairman of the "Think Pink" event. The money is then turned over to Wheeling Hospital's Breast Care Center, which distributes help to patients to pay for things they might not otherwise be able to pay for on their own, she explained. The assistance can come in the form of financial payments for testings, the purchase of gas cards to get to and from appointments, or even buying mammogram pads to help make procedures more comfortable.

"We help them with anything they need," Joseph said. "We have a liaison at the hospital that takes the funds a*nd sees to the distribution."

Last year, the dinner raised $90,000 for breast cancer patients. This year, the goal was to raise $100,000, according to Joseph.

"At this point, we have donated over $450,000, and we have accountability for over $150,000 in recent years on where it has been spent," she continued.

"We have just escalated year after year because we have a community that is really caring. We have a great team of women that put this together, and it is a one time a year event. Breast cancer has touched everybody in some way, shape, or form, and this speaks to people."

The "Think Pink" dinner takes place every third Thursday in October, which is also "Breast Cancer Awareness Month."

Each year the event is in memory of Janie Altmeyer, who first started hosting luncheons for breast cancer patients at her home in 2003. As the event grew it moved to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church’s basement, and then to the White Palace.

The vegetable lasagna served - Altmeyer's own recipe she provided at her early luncheons - still is central to the "Think Pink" dinner and was provided Thursday night.

Many items and gift baskets were donated to be auctioned or raffled off during the event. Among them were a $5,000 trip to Colorado, designer purses, and small home appliances and beauty items.

Those who would still like to donate to the cause may do so by contacting the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley, and a check from the "Think Pink" organizers will be turned over to Wheeling Hospital officials by early spring, according to Joseph.

"We're grateful for the community support, and I'm grateful to the great team that I get to work with," she said.

She also credited sponsors and co-chair Dr. Rose Hardin, surgeon at the Breast Care Center at Wheeling Hospital, for her efforts in helping her to organize the event.