The Pink Tie Friends, Inc. non-profit public charity had its beginning in September 2004 when founder Nancy O’Neill was sent to the Breast Care Center of the Treasure Coast for treatment of Stage 3 breast cancer.

Nancy recalled, “I didn’t even have time to think about my medical predicament because I was being treated in between the chaos of the back-to-back hurricanes that hit Stuart, Florida that year. I did have time to realize though, that the Breast Care Center was a very special place.”

After months had passed and Nancy’s world began to return to normal, she wanted to do something to support the Center and asked what they might need. The response was immediate and focused: “We need a fund for individuals with breast cancer who walk into this clinic almost every week and have no health insurance!”

Nancy O’Neill brought together friends, patients and survivors–all committed to fill this need in the community–and set about to raise awareness and funds for their newly formed foundation. Pink Tie Friends, Inc. provides financial support for individuals who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are either uninsured or underinsured for the expensive medical treatment they need to survive.

Our first fundraising event–The Pink Tie Gala–was held in October 2005 and debuted at the Lyric Theater in downtown Stuart.  The event featured “The Calendar Girls.” Some of the women who graced the pages of our 2006 calendar of breast cancer patients and survivors also performed on stage in a short ballet written exclusively for The Pink Tie Gala.

We are encouraged by the support we have received in the community and with continuing dedication of volunteers, we look forward to helping many more breast cancer patients receive the medical treatment they so desperately need.