Five hundred fans came together for a great cause at Great American Ball Park on Thursday for the first-ever Pink Party presented by St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
The Reds and longtime partner St. E’s teamed up for this special event to help raise awareness for the continued fight against breast cancer. Ticket packages were made available in the weeks leading up to the game, which included a lower-level ticket to see the Reds face the Marlins, a Reds-branded hat with the breast cancer awareness ribbon, concession credit and other special perks.
A limited number of VIP packages were also sold and included all the general package benefits along with a photo op with Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin, a swag bag with exclusive merchandise and access to a custom jewelry-making event in the First Star Fan Zone before the game.
“Realizing that we could not host the Reds Community Fund’s A Night of Their Own event in 2021 due to field restrictions, we were determined to produce an equally fun event at the ballpark,” Reds senior vice president of business operations Karen Forgus said.
“The millions of fans who follow Reds baseball each year also know of someone currently battling cancer. So, using the backdrop of a Reds game to bring support to those family members and friends fighting cancer was a natural fit. St. E’s and the RCF worked together to create the perfect event centered around having fun!”
In addition to the ticket package benefits for each guest, a portion of the proceeds from each package sold benefited the Karen Wellington Foundation for Living with Breast Cancer (KWF). The foundation was established in 2007 after the passing of Karen Wellington, who battled breast cancer from the age of 30 to 40. The KWF organizes special trips and fun-only activities for women and families living with breast cancer.
“After learning that the Karen Wellington Foundation offers experiences that provide fun now for those living with cancer, we knew we had the perfect partner,” Forgus said. “The KWF has been helping cancer patients have fun now for 15 years, and they have a wonderful relationship with St. E’s cancer care teams.”
While it was a game full of fun and ended with a Reds win, the night’s signature moment took place in the middle of the seventh inning. Broadcasted live on Bally Sports Ohio for all of Reds Country to be a part of, the Reds held a special “Stand Up” moment where Pink Party participants were able to honor a friend or loved one.
Grace Smith, program manager for the KWF, saw firsthand how important that moment was. Smith was at the ballpark for all of the festivities and several special interactions with Pink Party attendees throughout the evening.
“I never cease to be amazed by the resiliency of survivors [or those currently living with breast cancer] and their families,” she said. “When I asked one woman if she knew anyone living with breast cancer, she broke down in tears. Her best friend had passed just days earlier, yet this woman was living on to the best of her abilities and trying to have a little bit of fun despite her deep loss. After sharing more about her friend's life and journey, we encouraged her to pick up a placard to write her name down for the seventh-inning stretch.
“I often speak directly with the women who are living with cancer, but we all know that cancer affects more than just the person living with it. I hope that we are a beacon for all people touched by cancer.”