Debra Morgan first learned about breast cancer when she was a small child living in Florida and noticed the scars from her grandmother’s mastectomy while swimming in the family pool. Her family treated the disease as a very private issue and Debra was told little. Today she lends her readily recognizable name to the awareness, care and treatment of breast cancer patients through her work in the Pretty in Pink Foundation the as well as Caring Community Foundation. In a recent interview she stated, “It is incumbent on all of us to come together as a community to take care of each other.” As a journalist, she feels that part of her job is public service. Her role is more than reporting the emergencies that seems to happen daily, but also to do what makes the community a better place for all of us.

She states that she is always astounded by the generosity of the community. She gives as an example the Caring Community Foundation on whose board of directors she serves. This foundation provides for the funding of non-medical expenses such as rent, utility bills or food for patients with breast or other types of cancer. The Pretty in Pink Foundation provides funds for the medical treatment of some of these same patients. Both foundations started with the desire to reach out and help others.

The Caring Community Foundation’s first fundraiser netted $724 in the Cary backyard of a breast cancer survivor. This money was forwarded to a local oncologist the next day to pay for the treatment of a breast cancer patient. The goal of Pretty in Pink’s founder, Dr. Lisa Tolnitch, was to help 10 women in the first year. The Foundation now receives 15-20 phone calls each day from breast cancer patients looking for help. In the past two years, 427 women have been helped. The application process is simple, is usually complete in two weeks, and is geared to providing assistance to breast cancer patients with little or no insurance so that they can be treated with dignity and pride.

The Pretty in Pink Foundation will be the recipient of all proceeds from the Devils Ridge Ladies Golf Association’s charity tournament which will b held this year on June 17.

The tournament is sold out with a waiting list established, but there are still opportunities to contribute to this worthy charity. As a registered 501© (3) charitable organization, all monies or goods donated to the Pretty in Pink Foundation are tax deductible. If you or your business would like to help “pay it forward”, please contact Margi Ludwig, this year’s tournament chairperson, at margiludwig@yahoo.com.

You may also attend a pancake breakfast at Appleby’s in Fuquay-Varina on Saturday, June 12, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. LGA members will greet, seat, serve, and bus tables. All profits will go to Pretty in Pink. Plan now to join us for breakfast as we raise funds for women with breast cancer. Funds received by the Pretty in Pink Foundation go directly and immediately to patients to help them in their battles against the disease that has touched so many.