FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. (August 31, 2023) – 2023 is the year of PINK. With more than 150 participants already signed up for the annual Pink On Parade 5K and 1-Mile Pet Friendly Walk, the Pink Army is ready to go as excitement for this year’s annual event continues to grow and new committee members join the team.
The volunteer group is part of an effort countywide to support the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation as they provide funding for women, and men, who need diagnostic services in their battle against breast cancer.
Nicknamed the ‘Pink Army’, participants team up from all sectors of the community. From retail, the service industry, real estate and builders, media and public relations, to the Flagler Humane Society, Flagler Schools, the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, area civic clubs and nonprofit organizations, and the government sector, it’s a full court press to support those in need, remember those who have lost their battle with breast cancer, and celebrate those who have beaten the deadly disease.
Even the county’s students are enthusiastic about the cause, with commitments from the Flagler Palm Coast High School Starlets, area cheerleaders, DECA teams, the Honor Society, and the JRROTC to support the Pink On Parade and associated events.
Participants and teams pull out all the stops to make it a family friendly and exciting event according to Cindy Dalecki, a member of the Pink Army since the beginning.
“Following the trail of the Pink Army and now the Pink On (Parade), for the last over a decade, going from 200 runners to up to 1,500 people, just converging in the AdventHealth Palm Coast campus is amazing. Just a sea of pink. I love when everybody gets into it. It doesn’t matter who it is, they’re wearing pink tutus, and pink hair and pink dogs,” she said excitedly.
“We rolled the 1-mile pet friendly walk a few years ago and that’s just been a hit. You walk the back trail around the hospital with your dog and we’ve got bandanas now for the dogs. It’s just so fun and what a way to bring the community together around a common cause,” said Dalecki, who was astonished by the stats.
“Really astonished. The impact is so huge. Mostly women, but there are some men and we had a man come to speak to us one year who had breast cancer. He was a very stoic, retired military man, and wow, the impact was amazing. You know you have to sprinkle humor into all you do and he was really funny talking about his menopause and hot flashes from the medicine. The room is 99% women and they were on the floor. It was just funny, and touching and wonderful, all at the same time.”
AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation Chairman Tony Papandrea and Foundation Director John Subers help rally the troops each year, providing support, guidance and coordination in conjunction with the City of Palm Coast for the annual Pink On Parade 5K and 1-Mile Pet Friendly Walk, set this year for October 8th.
Register at www.PinkOnParade. com/PalmCoast
Use discount code ‘EARLYBIRD’ on or before 08-31-2023 to save $5. Student Rate (18 and Under) $20 with code ‘PCKIDS’, if registered before 10-01-2023.Â
Committee members are provided signature t-shirts courtesy of the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, where Dr. Padmaja Sai, who is spearheading the new cancer treatment center along with the Foundation, helps treat many of the patients diagnosed. Stopping in on Thursday, Dr. Sai thanked those involved in caring for their neighbors in need.
“All the cancer services are going to be under one roof. The community has needed this long ago. The care and what we will provide is going to be top notch care and everything stays within the community,” said Sai.
Funds raised over the years have helped pay for screenings, diagnostic services, and quality of life needs for cancer patients such as wigs, bras, prostheses, scarves, turbans, pillows, drainage vests and lymphedema arm sleeves.
Kicking off with the annual Food Truck Tuesday and First Responder Truck Pull competition on September 19th, it’s a month and a half of activities devoted to raising awareness and funds. The celebrations begin with the Flagler County School Board and the City of Palm Coast issuing Proclamations and a Pink Army Flag Raising ceremony recognizing the efforts, followed by the Food Truck Tuesday events, all on September 19th.
Other Pink Army activities include:Â
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Glam Studio Highlights for Cancer – All Month
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Palm Coast Aquatics Breast Cancer Fundraiser – All Month
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Pink Pinwheel Sales at HighJackers Restaurant – All Month
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City of Palm Coast Proclamation & Flag Raising – September 19
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Flagler County School Board Proclamation – September 19
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Food Truck Tuesday & First Responder Truck Pull Competition – September 19
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Flagler County Board of Commissioners Proclamation & Flag Raising – October 2
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Spirit Day at Chick-Fil-A – October 3
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Flag Raising at First Friday Flagler Beach – October 6
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Friends of Tennis Fundraiser – October 7
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Pink On Parade 5K & 1 Mile Pet Friendly Walk – October 8
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Day of Giving at Texas Roadhouse – October 9-10
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Flagler Home Builders Association – iFish Flagler Tournament – October 14
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BOLD Ladies Pilates in the Park Wellness & Awareness Festival – October 17
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Food Truck Tuesday – Town Center – October 17
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Guardian Belles Bike Ride & Lunch – October 28
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Flagler Auditorium’s ‘Menopause 2 – “Cruising Through the Change” – October 29
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Chez Jacqueline Fashion Show – October 30
