McKoy gives back with Pink In June
PINK In June started with one single visit to a breast cancer fighter’s home.
Breast cancer survivor Kaydia Levien McKoy, who heads the foundation Heads Up For Pink, said the woman was doing chemo at the time, and she went to visit her. “She was so appreciative, but when I looked at her hands and feet they were black and sore and she expressed to me that she was not able to work because of the soreness and she was not able to purchase groceries, pay her rent/bills and repair her car. She gave up on chemotherapy. I was so saddened by this and it played on my mind. While driving home I kept thinking about how I could help and the idea came to do a fund-raiser, while I celebrated two years cancer free!”
Within minutes, Pink In June was created.
“That very day all the planning started to get it going short term, with a set date for June 16, 2023. I started calling around for support and sponsorship, and before you know it, I had Ammar’s, Sagicor, Golden Grocery, Champion Battery, D Wright Prolific Haulage, Purity Bakery, Totally Male, and much more,” McKoy said.
“I had one of the greatest saxophonists, Daniel Jackson, and memories created by Nehmarbent_studios. We also had guest speakers like Donaree Muirhead, self coach; Sandra Samuels, owner of Totally Male Spa and president of Jamaica Reach to Recovery; representative from Sagicor Ainsworth Clacken; and Michael Jureidini, president of Brothers United against Prostate Cancer.”
Two recipients — Joyce Jackson and Georgia Baker — received the $170,000 raised after expenses.
“I handed over the cash and I said to the ladies, it’s yours, do whatever you want to do, I am not going to put a tracker on how you want to spend it. Get your hair done, buy groceries, go to a restaurant and eat something nice… because going through cancer is not easy mentally, physically, financially and emotionally and sometimes a little self-love and pampering will help uplift fighting spirits.”
McKoy said she is breaking the barrier with Pink In June to spread awareness, even while recognising that a lot of women fighting cancer or other illnesses which impede them from providing basic needs are not able to provide for their families.
“The feedback has been tremendous with everyone already looking forward to 2024. Everyone left upbeat, inspired and motivated. It was an atmosphere of love and support, and we are bringing hope to the hopeless and I say ‘we’, because I couldn’t do it alone and I’m so appreciative of everyone. We are all in this together; no one should fight cancer alone. I wish I could do so much more, but for now I am doing what I can with the help of my Jamaican family and those who supported from abroad,” McKoy said.
