Breast cancer nonprofit Pink Ribbon Good to host 'Party with a Purpose' to support WNY patients

Pink Ribbon Good (PRG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free assistance and services to those battling breast and gynecological cancers, will host its “Party with a Purpose” event at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo.

The event will feature food, cocktails and speakers who will share inspiring messages. The goal of “Party with a Purpose” is to bring the community together and raise funds dedicated toward easing the burden of battling cancer for local patients through practical and emotional support.

Each ticket costs $150 and will provide 10 healthy meals for those in Western New York undergoing active treatment.

“ ‘Party with a Purpose’ is more than a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of strength, community and compassion,” said PRG’S CEO, Heather Salazar. “Every dollar raised translates into meals delivered, rides provided, and hope restored for patients and families right here in Buffalo.”

Digital media company Sweet Buffalo creator and breast cancer advocate Kimberly LaRussa is helping promote “Party with a Purpose” after becoming familiar with the organization during her own recent battle with the disease.

By hosting the “Party with a Purpose” event, PRG is “trying to get the word out about what they offer,” LaRussa said.

Now in remission, LaRussa recalled when members of PRG initially reached out to her after learning of her advocacy for breast cancer via her media platforms.

“They asked me how I was and if they could help me with anything,” LaRussa said. “It meant so much to be thought of.”

LaRussa said it was easy to sign up for PRG’s services. The organization provided her with a form to give to her doctor to sign indicating that she is in active treatment.

“That was it,” LaRussa said.

Sweet Buffalo founder Kimberly LaRussa displays a pink, lightweight vacuum she received from Pink Ribbon Good during her battle with breast cancer.

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One helpful service she received from PRG was the delivery of free, healthy meals to her door.

“The meals come with a cooler and you can put them in the freezer so you don’t have to worry about what you’re going to have for dinner. You can also pick what meals you want,” LaRussa said.

The organization also provided LaRussa with nontoxic cleaning supplies and a lightweight, pink vacuum.

“When you have to get surgery, the doctors tell you, ‘no lifting,’ but a lot of us are the caretakers of our homes – and vacuums are very heavy. It’s hard for us, but this vacuum is so light weight that we are able to use it,” LaRussa explained.

In addition to promoting services offered by PRG, which also includes peer support, LaRussa created the Facebook group, “Sweet Buffalo Breasties,” which currently has more than 450 members.

“I created the group for those who are battling breast cancer, who are survivors and for those who want to know what signs to look out for,” she said.

When she went public with her diagnosis, LaRussa said “the whole community rallied around” her and she “was very fortunate.”

In alignment with PRG’s mission to ensure “no one travels this road alone,” LaRussa said she wants to “pay it forward by being a resource for others who did not have the same support.”

Her message to those currently battling breast and gynecological cancers is that “although we have no choice in the matter, we are all stronger than we know and, somehow, through our journeys, we find the strength to get through.”

For more information about PRG or to purchase tickets for “Party with a Purpose,” visit www.pinkribbongood.org/upcoming-events/pink-ribbon-good-party-with-a-purpose.

Writer Lauren Zaepfel contributed to this article.