As usual, Pink Pumpkins founder Deeana Bedics was there to greet and mingle with attendees. Tirelessly managing the event each year, she founded Pink Pumpkins Coins 4 Chemo a decade ago, as she was undergoing six months of treatment for breast and liver cancer.
Her organization holds fundraising efforts throughout the year, which not only results in this special holiday gathering, but also provides donations to the Prager Patient Assistance Fund. The Prager fund provides financial support for the nonclinical needs of cancer patients who are being treated at the Cancer Institute and their families.
"It bothered me that people worried about the holidays, and that they couldn't take care of themselves or their family members. I thought we could do a little something about that," Bedics said. "We're not only making memories for patients. Their loved ones will have those memories and that's just as important, if not more important.”
Bedics said the party is a way to connect with others and share their feelings about their condition. "[We wanted] a place to share the camaraderie with others who are like you. Here at the center, we're all from the same village, we all are doing the same journey.”
Hematologist oncologist Ranju Gupta, MD, President of Medical Staff, Jefferson Lehigh Area, has been involved since the party’s inception a decade ago and also attended this year. “This event is meaningful in helping to create a community for patients being treated at the Cancer Institute,” Dr. Gupta said. “Sharing their experiences with each other becomes part of their healing process as they address the emotional aspects of the disease and going through therapy. Besides that, it’s just a fun night, which we all value.”
