Gifts of Hope will host its third annual Pink in the Park event on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dennis the Menace Park, offering a day of celebration, awareness, and community support for those affected by breast cancer. The event will feature a breast cancer survivor speaker, a Victory Lap and Ribbon Wall, a Survivor Fashion Show, local vendors, raffle items, food trucks, music, games, prizes, and photo opportunities.
Clint Dickson, executive director of Gifts of Hope, explained the inspiration behind the event.
“In 2021, we sat down with the Young & the Breastless (Y&B) support group to design an event that not only raised awareness but also empowered younger women and celebrated survivors,” Dickson said. “One of the big themes was joy, and that guides how we shape Pink in the Park every year. Our hope is that attendees understand that while cancer impacts lives, it doesn’t define a person or diminish their capacity for joy.”
One of the event’s highlights is the Survivor Fashion Show, where breast cancer survivors showcase their beauty and resilience.
“Some of the hardest challenges after treatment involve self-image,” Dickson said. “Losing hair, undergoing surgeries — it all affects how a woman feels about herself. The fashion show helps them recapture that beauty and share it with their loved ones.”
Local boutiques partner with Y&B members to create outfits for survivors, who then showcase their looks during the program.
The Victory Lap and Ribbon Wall offer opportunities to honor cancer fighters and survivors. The Victory Lap recognizes those in active treatment, caregivers, and survivors celebrating milestones, while the Ribbon Wall serves as a tribute to both survivors and those lost to breast cancer.
“It becomes an inspiring monument by the end of the event,” Dickson said. “It’s a chance to celebrate courage and perseverance.”
Pink in the Park also addresses the emotional challenges survivors face post-treatment.
“Cancer can be isolating,” Dickson said. “This event provides a space where survivors don’t have to carry the burden alone. It’s a chance for acknowledgment, strength, and fellowship.”
Vendors at the event contribute by offering resources and raffle items, with many having personal connections to breast cancer. Their financial support helps Gifts of Hope assist newly diagnosed patients.
Dickson encourages ongoing involvement beyond the event.
“We want every woman to understand the importance of early detection,” Dickson said. “Cancer doesn’t mean despair — and the Y&B members prove that with their resilience every day.”