Education, empowerment, support

Pink Lemonade Project assists women affected by breast cancer

By Danielle Frost

November 19, 2013 12:00 am

Life

Allen and Cassie Gabriel founded the Pink Lemonade Project in 2010. The Camas doctors saw there was a lack of information and emotional support for women impacted by breast cancer, and sought to address that need.

Krista Colvin is a motivational speaker and lifestyle expert, as well as a breast cancer survivor. She and her husband, Michael, attended a couples retreat sponsored by the Pink Lemonade Project. Here, she speaks at a recent Girls Night Out event.

Post-Record file photo Columbia Ridge Senior Living in Washougal held a Pink Tea event in October -- Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- to benefit the Pink Lemonade Project. The event, attended by 65 people, raised approximately $300. Speakers included breast cancer survivors. When attendees were asked during the tea if any of them had been diagnosed with breast cancer, or knew someone who had been, nearly every hand in the room was raised.

“When life throws you lemons, make lemonade.”Almost everyone has heard this popular quote at one time or another in life. In 2010, two Camas doctors took it to heart and created the Pink Lemonade Project, which provides “critical support” to women impacted by breast cancer.

Dr. Allen Gabriel, a plastic surgeon with PeaceHealth Medical Group, and his wife, Cassie, with Columbia Anesthesia Group, saw there was a noticeable lack of information regarding breast cancer and women’s rights. In addition, Allen Gabriel noticed that many of his patients struggled with the emotional and psychological aspects of diagnosis and recovery.

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