In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we partnered with The Pink Fund – a foundation founded by breast cancer survivor, Molly MacDonald, and her husband, Tom Pettit, that provides financial assistance to patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. To date, The Pink Fund has raised $8.6 million and helped relieve financial burden for over 4,300 families.
We spoke with Molly, as well as fellow breast cancer survivor and The Pink Fund board member Heidi Floyd, to learn more about The Pink Fund’s mission and the journey to finding comfort during breast cancer treatment. Read their stories below.
The Pink Fund co-founder, Molly MacDonald
Activist and Motivational Speaker, Heidi Floyd
Q&A - Heidi Floyd:
Q: Did self-care play a role in your recovery journey? If so, tell us how.
A: Absolutely - and I say that knowing full well that everyone’s version of self care looks different. Long, hot showers helped so much during chemotherapy, but so did baking pumpkin pie! After the bulk of chemo was completed, my friend treated me to a wonderful spa manicure which was such a gift. I was so thankful.
Q: What does comfort mean to you now, after going through such a challenging time?
A: Now it looks like the small moments and finding something lovely each day. No matter how hard, I look for one thing that is good. It is often just that one lone flower growing in the sidewalk, or seeing a stranger hold the door for someone else, etc.
Q: What advice would you give to others who are navigating a similar journey, especially when it comes to finding moments of comfort?
A: Find your peace anywhere; if you can’t afford to go someplace amazing, make where you are amazing. You can take 3 minutes in your car to just stop and breathe and rest, you can close your eyes on the train, you can allow yourself to stay in the shower just a bit longer, light the candle you love so much, eat on the good dishes, make snow angels with your children, wear the fancy shoes, have ice cream for dinner. Take your comfort in whatever shape you need to find it, and cherish it.
Q&A - Molly MacDonald:
Q: What brought you comfort during treatment?
A: Frankly, due to the loss of my job as a result of my diagnosis, I was pretty wigged out. Our home fell into foreclosure within three months, I was at risk of vehicle repossession and utility shut-offs. It was more terrifying than breast cancer. My husband, whom I refer to as Tom Terrific, was my rock. My faith sustained me and the idea of “do not worry about tomorrow, today has enough trouble of its own.” And of course, my children.
Q: Can you share a moment when you found peace or joy amidst your treatment process?
A: Once I had the vision to launch a charity to help women experiencing financial toxicity, a term that was not coined until eight years following my diagnosis, I was joyfully empowered. I believe that God worked all this together for good and that brought me peace.
Q: How do you stay connected to that softer, more restful side of life today?
A: I still practice yoga, take daily hour-long walks in nature, find joy and appreciation for my husband, friends, co-workers and family as I witness the joy in their lives. As for rest, I love our light-filled home and artwork. Each room has something I love looking at. And in the cooler months, I find the crackling of our wood burning fireplace restful.
For the month of October, Eberjey will be donating 10% of proceeds from The Pink Edit to The Pink Fund to help cover patient non-medical living expenses such as rent, dental costs, food, electric bills, and more.
