Courtesy Pink Aid
This October, fifty Shell gas stations in Connecticut, New York, and Long Island are turning their pumps bright pink to support breast cancer patients, donating five cents per gallon of Shell V-Power® sold to Pink Aid.
By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
This October, gas stations across Connecticut, New York, and Long Island are showcasing a vibrant twist on an everyday chore. Fifty Shell stations in the tri-state area have transformed their gas pumps into bright pink beacons, symbolizing support for breast cancer patients and fueling a campaign that merges awareness with tangible assistance.
The initiative, part of a partnership between Shell and Pink Aid, a nonprofit dedicated to helping those affected by breast cancer, is as impactful as it is eye-catching. For every gallon of Shell V-Power® NiTRO+ sold at participating stations, five cents will be donated to Pink Aid. Since its inception in 2011, the organization has distributed over $11 million in financial aid to more than 40,000 patients facing financial hardships due to their diagnoses. This year alone, Pink Aid aims to provide over $2.5 million in assistance nationwide.
Ali Mitchell, Board Member, and her husband, Chris Mitchell, who is also Board of Directors, are passionate advocates for breast cancer patients, working tirelessly to provide financial support and raise awareness through impactful initiatives.
“We help them get through that diagnosis by helping with household bills, keeping their families together, food on the table, gas in their cars, paying for car payments that can get them to their treatment back, just basically helping keep their lives together in the now so they can get through their diagnosis with dignity and compassion,” Ali Mitchell said.
Courtesy Pink Aid
This partnership aims to raise awareness and provide financial assistance to those affected by breast cancer, with Pink Aid having already distributed over $11 million in aid to more than 40,000 patients since 2011.
The campaign began with a conversation between the Mitchell’s and their friend Adam, who owns the participating gas stations. Initially a small idea to promote breast cancer awareness at just a few locations, the initiative quickly grew into a larger effort to include all 50 of Adam’s stations after a successful trial run.
“He came up with this idea he would sell for the month of October, for every gallon of their V-Power, which is their premium gasoline that they sold, they would donate five cents per gallon,” Ali Mitchell said.
The bright pink pumps serve not just as a marketing gimmick, but as a means of bridging the gap between awareness and action. Many patients face what’s known as “financial toxicity,” a term that refers to the financial burdens that arise from cancer treatment. Pink Aid helps alleviate some of these pressures by providing assistance with everyday costs like transportation to treatment, rent, and food.
“We are now a national organization helping breast cancer patients who’ve fallen on financial toxicity all across the country,” Chris Mitchell said. “We’re helping in 47 of the 50 states right now, which is kind of amazing, and it helped 40,000 patients.”
The initiative is particularly timely, as October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when organizations and individuals are encouraged to promote education and support for those affected by the disease. The striking pink pumps are designed not just to catch the eye but to spark conversations among customers.
“We really do it with the sense of not only educating people about what we’re doing, but with the spirit of giving back to, you know, the community in which we live,” Chris Mitchell said.
In addition to the pink pumps, Pink Aid will host several events throughout October, including fundraisers and celebrations of life for breast cancer survivors which you can find at pinkaid.org These gatherings aim to uplift patients and their families, creating a sense of community and shared experience.
For those looking to support this initiative, a list of participating gas stations can be found on the Pink Aid website at pinkaid.org. Customers are encouraged to share their experiences on social media, using the hashtag #PowerUpForPinkAid to raise further awareness and encourage others to join the cause.
As drivers fill up this October, they are reminded that they are not just fueling their cars but also fueling hope and assistance for breast cancer patients in their communities.
“It’s a great opportunity not only for people that are interested in our mission and whether they want to get involved or be a donor to help breast cancer patients across the country,” Ali Mitchell said. “We’re helping in 47 of the 50 states right now, which is kind of amazing, and the organization has helped 40,000 patients.”
This collaboration highlights the power of community action, reminding us all that small contributions can lead to significant change in the lives of those facing challenges related to breast cancer. As the pink pumps line the streets, they stand as a testament to compassion, support, and the ongoing fight against breast cancer.
