DAYTON, OH October 20 — The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation announced 30 finalists in the Pink Well Challenge, a fundraising effort offering $1 million in matching grants to organizations engaged in breast cancer research, prevention, treatment and patient support throughout the U.S. Pink Ribbon Girls of Dayton, a local group servicing nine counties in the Miami Valley, was selected as a “Top 20” finalist from over 150 applicants from all over the country and is the only nonprofit selected from Ohio
Dreamed up by Texas oilman, philanthropist and two-time cancer survivor Lester H. Smith, the Pink Well Challenge is symbolized by an active pump jack in the heart of West Texas painted bright pink. Smith says it represents how he is using proceeds from his energy industry successes to “pay it forward” in supporting breast cancer research and patient care.
The finalists will now begin raising funds to be matched by The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation based on the goals they set in their initial applications, anywhere from $1,000 to $45,000. Pink Ribbon Girls of Dayton has a set goal of $45,000. The organization plans on reaching their $45,000 goal through fundraisers and other grants.
All finalists will also create a short video about their organization that will appear on pinkwell.org in January, 2012. The public will be invited to vote on their favorite video from Jan. 1 – May 15, 2012. Both the organization whose video receives the most votes and the organization that raises the most funds will each receive $50,000 in additional grants from The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation. “Pink Ribbon Girls of Dayton will be competitive,” states Heather Salazar, Executive Director and Founder of Pink Ribbon Girls of Dayton. “Everyone knows someone that has been affected by breast cancer. We are blessed to live in a great community where everyone pitches in and works hard towards combating this disease. This matching grant is a huge win for the Miami Valley in our fight against breast cancer.”
The winners will be announced on June 2, 2012 in a special ceremony honoring National Cancer Survivors Day. To follow Pink Ribbon Girls of Dayton in the Pink Well Challenge, please visit www.pinkwell.org or follow Pink Ribbon Girls of Dayton at www.pinkribbongirls.org/dayton or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pinkribbongirlsofdayton.
