Pink in the City

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Pink in the City

Pink in the City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to build volunteer active communities, raise funds for breast cancer, model the way - you can too!

Pink in the City is a nonprofit grassroots charity organization founded to support and promote philanthropy and build volunteer active communities. Dedicated to raise awareness for breast cancer and funds for the acquisition of specialized medical equipment through various activities throughout the year. Our main event is an annual Charity Ball to support the purchase of needed medical equipment d

etermined by the breast clinic of the Royal Victoria Hospital. Founded by the Vourtzoumis Family, the Pink in the City team is a group of volunteer members passionate about eliminating breast cancer and increasing survivorship. Since 2006, volunteers have donated their time to fundraising, creating breast cancer awareness and promoting the "Model the way" campaign in the community. Pink in the City plays an active role in increasing volunteer participation and leadership within local schools and canadian communities. Pink in the city acts as ambassadors to building volunteer - active communities and empower students by sending a clear message that they can make a difference. The quest for this charity started in 2006 with the youngest member at the age of 11. A family tradition to raise funds annually became so rewarding that the fundraising journey evolved and in 2011 we launched the Pink in the City non-profit Charity foundation. Everyone has been touched by this devastating disease and other types of cancer. With this in mind, we strive every year to increase our donations through a wide range of sponsors and sponsorships. With the help and contributions of our community, we have raised in excess of 140,000.00$ since 2006. Thank You for believing in us and our mission. We are counting on your collaboration to partner with us on this worthwhile cause for years to come and together see it grow. With your help, we can succeed in increasing survivorship.

05/25/2026

Inviting survivors into schools to share their journey is incredibly special. Their stories bring perspective and real-life lessons that students carry with them long after the visit. It creates meaningful conversations around resilience and the importance of community support.

When students hear firsthand experiences, it helps build empathy and reminds them that even through life’s hardest moments, strength and hope can shine through. These connections can inspire young people to make a difference, support others, and understand the true power of the human spirit.

Thank you to Linda DiDomenico for coordinating these visits, to our inspirational survivors sharing their stories and the students that make it all come together!

Inviter des survivantes dans les écoles pour partager leur parcours est quelque chose d’incroyablement précieux. Leurs histoires apportent une perspective unique et des leçons de vie réelles que les élèves gardent avec eux bien après la visite. Cela crée des conversations significatives autour de la résilience et de l’importance du soutien de la communauté.

Lorsque les élèves entendent des témoignages de première main, cela aide à développer l’empathie et leur rappelle que même dans les moments les plus difficiles de la vie, la force et l’espoir peuvent toujours briller. Ces échanges peuvent inspirer les jeunes à faire une différence, à soutenir les autres et à comprendre la véritable puissance de l’esprit humain.

Merci à Linda DiDomenico pour la coordination de ces visites, à nos survivantes inspirantes qui partagent leurs histoires, ainsi qu’aux élèves qui rendent tout cela possible!

05/19/2026

The impact of community is powerful.

Because of your support through Pink in the City, healing at the MUHC Breast Clinic Wellness Program goes far beyond treatment. Together, we are helping women reclaim strength, confidence, hope, and connection throughout every stage of their breast cancer journey.

From movement and rehabilitation programs, nutrition workshops, psychology support, and wellness webinars, to survivor-led clubs and creative healing spaces, this program continues to transform lives through whole-person care.

In 2025 alone:

More women gained access to personalized exercise and recovery programs

Over 450 participants benefited from the Essentrics movement platform

Patients received expert nutritional, psychological, kinesiology, and wellness support

Survivors found community, education, creativity, and empowerment through shared experiences

What makes this program so meaningful is that it supports not only physical recovery, but emotional healing, dignity, resilience, and the human connection.

As we continue celebrating 20 years of Pink in the City, we are deeply grateful to every supporter, volunteer, sponsor, survivor, and community member who helps make this impact possible. As one, we are advancing compassionate, evidence-based breast cancer care and reminding women that they never walk this journey alone.

Thank you for believing in hope, healing, and the power of community 🩷

Save the date and join us for our Magic of Hope 20th Anniversary Gala fundraiser on October 23rd, 2026 ✨

L’impact d’une communauté est puissant. 💗

Grâce à votre soutien envers Pink in the City, la guérison au sein du Programme de bien-être de la Clinique du sein du CUSM va bien au-delà des traitements. Ensemble, nous aidons les femmes à retrouver leur force, leur confiance, leur espoir et un sentiment d’appartenance à chaque étape de leur parcours face au cancer du sein.

05/14/2026

Through initiatives like Raise Craze, we’ve seen firsthand the power of students giving back.
Their willingness to help others create a ripple effect, one that reaches far beyond the moment. They are never too young to make an impact. Thank you for your amazing support always !!

For more details to support, contact

Grâce à des initiatives comme Raise Craze, nous avons vu de près la puissance des étudiants qui redonnent à leur communauté.
Leur volonté d’aider les autres crée un effet d’entraînement, qui va bien au-delà du moment présent. Ils ne sont jamais trop jeunes pour avoir un impact.

Merci pour ton incroyable soutien, toujours !!

05/12/2026

At Pink in the City, we are surrounded by transformation every single day.

Like the butterfly, our survivors go through a journey that is anything but easy. There are moments of uncertainty, of challenge, of deep courage. And yet, through it all, they emerge, not as they once were-but stronger, more resilient, and more powerful than ever.

They are living proof of metamorphosis.

And then there is the butterfly effect…

A single act. One moment. One gesture of support. It may seem small, but it creates a ripple that reaches farther than we can ever imagine.

One story inspires another. One event brings a community together. One contribution helps change a life.

This is how impact is made and this is how hope grows.

Our breast cancer patients and survivors are part of this story and reason exists.

They are the strength behind our mission and the inspiration behind every step forward.

We are witnessing transformation and we are creating it.

Save the date: October 23, Magic of Hope Fundraiser Black tie Gala Event

Graphics

For more details, contact

05/11/2026

Have a listen to this interview with Orla and Andrea on Now Trending , where they talk about our Raise Craze campaign from three years ago (2023)

Our mission remains just as strong today, if not stronger and we are more driven than ever to make an impact.

This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate 20 years.

Join us in our efforts to make this milestone truly unforgettable. Contact for more information and details!

#2026

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the nurturers, the protectors, the fighters, the listeners, the leaders, and the hearts of our community.

To the moms, grandmothers, stepmoms, aunties, mentors, and every incredible woman who shows up with love and mother through kindness and strength.

You are the courage behind so many journeys and the love that holds us together, especially in our most challenging moments.

In our Pink in the City community, we see your strength and we feel your compassion. We are endlessly inspired. Today, we honor your resilience and your beautiful hearts.

Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you for being the soul of our community and for making the world a little brighter stronger every single day.

À toutes les mamans et celles qui le sont de cœur dans notre communauté Pink in the City 💗

Aujourd’hui, nous vous célébrons vous — les femmes qui prennent soin, qui protègent, qui se battent, qui écoutent, qui inspirent et qui sont le cœur de notre communauté.

Aux mamans, grands-mamans, belles-mamans, tantes, marraines, mentores et à toutes ces femmes extraordinaires qui donnent avec amour…
Vous êtes celles que nous appelons avec tendresse nos « mamans de cœur » — celles qui maternent par leur bienveillance, leur force et leur soutien indéfectible.

Vous êtes celles qui élèvent les autres quand ils en ont le plus besoin.
Vous êtes le courage derrière tant de parcours.
Vous êtes l’amour qui nous unit — surtout dans les moments les plus difficiles.

Dans notre communauté Pink in the City, nous voyons votre force.
Nous ressentons votre compassion.
Et nous sommes profondément inspirés par la façon dont vous êtes toujours présentes les unes pour les autres.

Aujourd’hui, nous honorons votre résilience, votre grâce et la beauté de votre cœur.

Bonne fête des Mères —
Merci d’être l’âme de notre communauté et de rendre le monde plus doux, plus fort et plus lumineux chaque jour.

04/30/2026

April shines a spotlight on volunteerism - at Pink in the City, the impact of our volunteers is felt every single day of the year.

From the very beginning, our volunteers have been the heartbeat of everything we do.

Throughout the year, they give back in countless ways - weather supporting our events, campaigns, leading and participating in initiatives, it is clear, that our volunteers are creating lasting impact.

Raising awareness and energizing communities, giving their time behind the scenes, planning, organizing, reaching out to partners, and ensuring every detail reflects care and excellence is just some of the important contributions we are proud of.

Most importantly, connected to survivors and patients to make sure they know we are there when they need us.

As you may already know, their dedication goes far beyond tasks and we can’t thank them enough. Because of our volunteers, we continue to raise critical funds that support wellness programs, patient care, and education in breast cancer. With their strength and love, we build a compassionate community.

To every volunteer who has given their time - we thank you. You are the magic behind every moment, and the reason hope continues to grow.

04/29/2026

The story of Raise Craze started years ago.

Sharing with you some raise craze powerful moments from 2017. What started as a simple idea quickly became a powerful movement and continues to bring together our community of partners and volunteers.

Raise Craze is about honouring someone, sharing a story, and giving back in a way that creates real impact. Raise craze moments like this are inspired by courage - by the journeys of survivors, fighters, and those we carry in our hearts. From hospital halls to community spaces, Raise Craze has grown into a moment where our community comes together to Raise awareness, support patient care and education.

What makes Raise Craze so special is the intention behind it - every participant has a reason and a story. And that’s what transforms Raise Craze into something unforgettable.
Get your workplace. Get your school involved.
Start a conversation. Share the purpose. Lead the change. You might be the reason someone feels seen, supported, and inspired to give back.

Join us and be a part of the Raise Craze movement, for more details and information, contact

L’histoire de Raise Craze a commencé il y a plusieurs années.

Je vous partage ici quelques moments marquants de Raise Craze depuis 2017.

Ce qui a débuté comme une idée simple est rapidement devenu un mouvement puissant, qui continue de rassembler notre communauté de partenaires et de bénévoles.

Raise Craze, c’est rendre hommage à quelqu’un, partager une histoire et redonner de façon à créer un impact réel. Ces moments sont inspirés par le courage — celui des survivantes, des combattantes et de celles et ceux que nous portons dans nos cœurs.

Des corridors d’hôpitaux aux espaces communautaires, Raise Craze a grandi pour devenir un moment de rassemblement où notre communauté se mobilise pour sensibiliser, soutenir les soins aux patients et favoriser l’éducation.

Ce qui rend Raise Craze si spécial, c’est l’intention qui l’anime — chaque participant a une raison, une histoire.Et c’est ce qui transforme Raise Craze en quelque chose d’inoubliable.

04/28/2026

My name is Miriam and I am happily retired.
In 1982, at the age of 39, I felt my world had shattered. A wife, mom of two young boys, 10 and 7, and a teacher.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Upon doing a self-examination I felt a lump in my right breast. The doctor sent me for a mammogram and subsequently to a surgeon. Within 6 weeks of the mammogram, I had 2 surgeries. The first, a lumpectomy which showed a malignancy, however, no further surgery or treatment was recommended. What a relief! Six weeks later, again following a self-examination, the area around the incision felt hard. Back to the doctor and immediately to the hospital.After more testing, it was deemed necessary to perform a total mastectomy. Following a short recuperation chemotherapy began. This was a ten-month process. It was rough. Fortunately, for me, my wonderful family, friends and neighbours were amazing.

On “chemo days” my neighbour would take the boys to her home and keep them until after dinner. During the ten months the above-mentioned people, as well as the doctors and nurses kept stressing the importance of remaining positive. It was difficult to do but I did my best. I was given the option of an implant or a prosthesis. I chose the latter. I did not want another surgery.

Here I am, forty-four years later. Feeling wonderful. Living a good life surrounded by my loved ones and three beautiful teen-aged grandchildren.

I wish the same outcome for anyone who has been smitten by this terrible disease.
I am very thankful to Pink in the City for the opportunity to share my story with students and now with you.

Save the date : October 23, 2006 Magic of Hope ✨

02/08/2026

From Student to Mentor to Pink Champion:

I joined leadership right at the start of secondary 3. To say that my experience was transformational would be an understatement. Over the years, I have grown from student leader to SWLSB staff member modeling the way, and now as a mentor in secondary student leadership.

My journey with our leadership and Pink in the City has been one of evolving understanding. I began as a student, moved by the stories of strength I heard. I grew into a mentor, hoping to guide others with the lessons I had learned. And now, I stand as a “Pink Champion” - a title earned not just by shaving my head, but by fully embracing the belief that leadership is shown through action. This evolution from learner to guide to committed advocate is at the heart of why I did what I did.

As a mentor in our leadership group, I believe the most powerful lessons aren’t just spoken, they’re demonstrated. That belief led me to make a deeply personal commitment: shaving my head to support those battling breast cancer.

Raising over $4,000 was a tremendous achievement, made possible by our incredible school community. But the act itself was about more than the number. It was a visible, tangible pledge of solidarity. For the students I mentor, I hoped to model that true leadership requires empathy and the courage to take a stand—even when that stand makes you vulnerable. Standing before them without the hair I’d always known was a powerful moment of connection. It showed that we lead not from a place of perfection, but from a place of compassion and a willingness to sacrifice for a cause greater than ourselves.

The shaved head is a symbol—but the real mission goes far beyond the physical transformation. Donating my hair to help create a wig for a woman in need was a direct and personal gift. But the funds we raised support a much broader, often invisible, battle.
This effort is about championing the entire ecosystem of support: the critical therapy sessions, the financial aid for families under immense strain, and the emotional networks that carry people through treatment.

Mikaela Papathansopoulos

Address

43 BoUlica Samson, Bur #249
Laval, QC
H7X3R8

Telephone

+15149286184

Website

http://www.pinkinthecity.ca/

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