Executive Director – Christi Seth
Managing Director – Jennifer Post
Assistant Managing Director – Amy Kelso
Board Members:
Heather Smith – Founder
Norma Zimmer – Co-Founder
Denise Lorei – President
John Palmer
Elizabeth Darling
Cheryl Pepicello
Jen Fisher
Amy Kelso
Christi Seth
Jennifer Post
Niken Astari Carpenter
“Cancer is a word, not a sentence.” ~John Diamond
Linked By Pink is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization consisting of Erie area survivors diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 45. We serve an area within a 45 mile radius of Erie, Pennsylvania.
We provide emotional and financial support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. We are here to assist them on their journeys with breast cancer and to be a place where they can feel they belong. We provide emotional support through our monthly meetings, one on one meetings and a private Facebook group page. We can financially assist patients with medical costs, travel costs to get to treatment and living expenses such as grocery cards, and help with utility and rent or mortgage payments. As survivors, we want to be an inspiration for them just as someone was for us when we needed it. This battle doesn’t have to be fought alone. We have all been there, some of us more than once.
The Linked By Pink members all understand a diagnosis of breast cancer, as we all have been through one before the age of 45. We understand the roller coaster of emotions, the fears, and the frustrations. We also have found a comfort in one another because we understand better than anyone what we each are feeling and thinking. We have also found humor in the face of this demon, we call breast cancer. It cannot stop us from laughing, loving, and living life to the fullest. A breast cancer diagnosis is a very physical, emotional, and spiritual journey, but you need to know you are not alone. We are here for you; to listen, to connect you to resources, to make you feel that you are in a place where you feel you belong, and to help make you laugh. Laughter is a key role in healing!
Our group gets together for monthly meetings here in Erie. We are also known to have impromptu meetings for coffee if the need arises. We have had women as far as 25 years out to those who are just starting the journey. We have had women diagnosed at all stages as well, from in situ to stage 4. We try to keep our meetings open to anyone who is diagnosed with breast cancer, but our focus is on those diagnosed under the age of 45.
Look under our Resource tab to find links to our Grant information. We provide help with medical costs, travel assistance and help with living expenses for those going through or who have gone through a breast cancer diagnosis.
We also get involved in the community as much as we can to try and help raise awareness that breast cancer is happening to women at younger ages. We do a lot of walks and a few fundraisers. We have an annual bowling tournament and we work with many different individuals and groups who help to raise funds and join us in our mission to assist patients and their families in our community. Please see our events page to see some of the activities we’re involved in.
Not only are we a resource for those diagnosed but for the entire family as well. Feel free to contact us and let us know how we can help you through your journey with breast cancer or if someone you know may benefit from our group.
