By Julia Train
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,603,844 new cancer cases were reported and 602,347 people died in 2020 in the United States alone.
Cancer affects families across the globe and billions of dollars are raised for research annually. Although donating money to research is vital, many patients face significant financial struggles due to treatment costs and time away from work.
In 2012, Aria Mazer and Joseph Orazi co-founded Toast Pink, a nonprofit organization, with a mission to help. The two wanted to be able to give money to the families directly.
“I had something [happen] to some friends a while back and just did a small fundraiser for them and handed them the money and that’s when I realized how much it meant to them,” Mazer said. “My co-founder Joe Orazi, his daughter, is a cancer survivor. So, they walked the walk and went through that struggle, so that was his inspiration.”
Individuals or families who have unpaid medical, mortgage, rent, utility, insurance or car bills, or even need help paying for groceries or transportation can apply online.
When the application is received, there’s a vetting process.
Once approved, Toast Pink pays the companies on behalf of its applicants. According to the nonprofit’s website, they’ve funded applications in excess of $80,000.
As for the inspiration behind the name “Toast Pink,” it’s twofold.
“Toast” came to them while participating in a walk for the American Cancer Society, which focuses on celebrating cancer patients’ birthdays. So the two decided to use the word in reference to raising a glass to celebrate the many birthdays to come after treatment for those they help.
The second half of the name is somewhat obvious, referencing the ribbon’s color for breast cancer awareness, which they have since expanded their mission to help those battling any form of the illness.
The 501(c)(3) has a team of 10 volunteers who work to assist cancer patients and their families with chemotherapy, transportation, housing, durable medical equipment and bridging the gap of uncovered medical expenses.
Since the crew is 100% volunteer, over 80% is sent to the applicants, the other 20% goes back into the organization to hold fundraisers, which they host several of throughout the year.
In between two extravagant fundraisers, Mazer holds smaller-scale ones, like raffles with local businesses and events in her hair salon.
They hold two large events a year– one is a dance event and the other is the gala, which is coming up on Nov. 17 with a theme of Havana Nights.
The annual fundraiser is elaborate and elegant with a cocktail hour, plated dinner, a 360 photo booth and auctions, complete with live music–this year’s talent is the FM band.
For more information, visit Toast Pink’s website: https://www.toastpink.org.
