Sharsheret, the only national not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of women and families of all Jewish backgrounds facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer, celebrated its 15th annual Sharsheret Pink Day (which took place February 14 this year) across more than 200 schools, organizations and synagogues worldwide. “Pink Day is a global awareness and unity movement that brings together thousands of people to share information about Sharsheret’s vital programs and services and raises awareness about breast cancer, cancer genetics, and generates life-saving conversations,” according to Ellen Kleinhaus, director of national outreach.
“Through social media, we have been able to spread the word about Pink Day among Jewish families who are at increased risk of hereditary breast cancer. Utilizing our social media campaign in partnership with the participating schools and organizations has helped Sharsheret reach thousands of students and their followers, especially through Sharsheret’s Facebook page, Sharsheret; X @Sharsheret, and Instagram @sharsheretofficial.”
On Pink Day, individuals and organizations were encouraged to post their pictures across all of Sharsheret’s social channels using the hashtag #sharsheretpinkday2024.
“But Pink Day is not just a hashtag,” emphasized Kleinhaus. “Sharsheret began as an initiative in partnership with former TABC student Tzvi Solomon (‘Do Real Men Wear Pink?’) 15 years ago and has grown into a worldwide movement uniting individuals around the world to mark Sharsheret Pink Day. It is a global phenomenon uniting so many with a common purpose.”
Because organizations, schools and businesses have been eager to lead educational programs, host Sharsheret speakers who share their personal stories, and lead fundraising events, there is a captive and substantial audience to the information and programming Sharsheret offers.
Kleinhaus noted that many companies donate a percentage of their profits to Sharsheret. Additionally, organizations get their employees involved by wearing pink and receiving educational information. “Schools had bake sales, hoop-a-thons, flower sales, merchandise sales, collated Sharsheret Caring Kits for medical centers, and held challah bakes,” she said.
By using #SharsheretPinkDay2024 across social media channels, participants could capture what their and other schools or organizations did to mark Pink Day and build recognition. “The anticipation surrounding Pink Day grows every year as organizations and thousands of students globally participate including middle schools, high schools, synagogues, organizations, companies, colleges/universities and Israel programs,” Kleinhaus said. “Pink Day program ideas run the gamut: health and wellness fairs, bake sales and merchandise sales, athletic tournaments, social media and marketing campaigns.” By marking Pink Day in their own ways, individuals everywhere help raise consciousness about breast cancer in their respective communities.
“The thousands of Pink Day participants across the country help us in our effort to ensure that everyone knows about Sharsheret should they ever need us,” Kleinhaus said.
“Sharsheret Pink Day raises awareness and as a result, many women are reminded to make their mammogram appointments, call us for cancer genetic questions and reach out to us for support.” Kleinhaus pointed out that the number of individuals who contact Sharsheret for support increases every year after Pink Day. No one should feel alone, and Sharsheret is here for everyone who needs the support they offer. And in general it’s a good reminder for everyone to be proactive about their health.
As a case in point, Kleinhaus recounted that one woman learned about Sharsheret from a Pink Day at her daughter’s school. She scheduled a mammogram she’d been putting off, and it revealed a suspicious finding, later diagnosed as breast cancer. She credits Pink Day with saving her life.
“Pink Day creates momentum. Students begin planning for the next year as soon as they finish marking the day. Additionally, students who participate in Pink Day often incorporate the participation into their lives as they move from elementary school, to high school, college and beyond. These young adults become our Sharsheret Ambassadors.”
Pink Day is made possible with the generous support of our corporate sponsors: Daiichi-Sankyo and Merck, as well as The Beatrice Milberg Campus Program, made possible with support from Sherry and Neil Cohen.
Pink Day 2024 kicked off with a one-hour interactive mandala therapeutic art workshop with Ariel Landrum, LMFT. The workshop focused on the art form of mandalas to create balance and find uniqueness in each person’s experience. Sylvie Slotkin, a student at Northwestern University, will share her perspective on the power of Pink Day in a recording that will be available soon.
To donate or for more information about Sharsheret Pink Day 2024, contact Director of National Outreach Ellen Kleinhaus at 866.474.2774 or visit www.sharsheret.org
