Writer / Lynda Hedberg Thies
For the 11th year, the Indiana Women In Need (I.W.I.N) Foundation will host the annual Pink Pajama Party Feb. 20-21 to benefit women in Indiana that have been diagnosed with or are being treated for breast cancer. This two day event – held at the Indianapolis North Marriott at Keystone at the Crossing – will allow women to relax, be pampered and enjoy a fun evening of dancing and music well into the morning in pink pajamas.
For the 2015 party, the foundation invites women who have been former recipients, friends and family of breast cancer patients and any woman that likes to party with a purpose, especially in her pink pajamas. Women can enjoy great food, pink cocktails, shop at an extensive silent auction and enjoy complimentary spa services. Then guests will dance to the music of Living Proof and afterward move to the lounge to enjoy music by singer and songwriter Chad Mills.
As the primary caregivers, women diagnosed with breast cancer often find themselves unable to take care of their families, and most women will often not ask for help. Treatments can be very time-consuming because of having to travel away from home for treatment. Oftentimes, the cancer prevents women from going to their jobs, which can lead to a loss of income or even the ability to support their families. More women are being diagnosed with breast cancer every year. In Indiana alone, that number is around 4,000, and so the need for I.W.I.N. Foundation’s mission is more important than ever.
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“In our first year, we helped three women, and now we have helped 493 women ranging in ages from 18 to 90 years old, which is truly gratifying,” said Sue Wynne, the I.W.I.N. operations director. “One of our current recipients had this to say about her experience with the I.W.I.N. Foundation: ‘I would like to thank I.W.I.N. for the grant I received. I live in La Porte County and have been traveling to Indianapolis almost every week since April 2014 for treatments of breast cancer. I’m on a fixed income so the gas cards have been a tremendous help so I could receive the care I need.’”
According to Wynne, the majority of applications are seeking help with transportation in the form of gas cards as well as gift cards for meals. She added, “Most importantly, so far we have never had to turn anyone away.”
Women diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing treatment that would like to receive assistance can go to the foundation’s website and apply for a grant. The grant process is on a four to six week waiting list. For a complete list of services offered, more information, to apply for a grant and register for the event, visit iwinfoundation.org.
Most definitely time for a Pink Pajama Party!
