Big Y’s Partners of Hope campaign raises funds for breast cancer research

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Big Y has launched its annual Partners of Hope campaign this October to support breast cancer research and treatment across Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The campaign allows customers to purchase a Partners of Hope ribbon for just $1 at any Big Y location or donate online through October 22nd, with all proceeds benefiting 33 local breast cancer support groups.

“Every dollar raised supports Hartford HealthCare’s Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital and its Take the Time Mobile Mammography program, which provides free mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women. Over the years, Big Y’s support has helped deliver more than 1,000 free mammograms to women across Connecticut,” said Kristen Lapenta, Associate Director, Special Events, Philanthropy.

Since its inception in 2007, the Partners of Hope campaign has raised over $3 million for breast cancer support and research. In addition to ribbon purchases, many products at Big Y feature special pink packaging, indicating that a portion of their proceeds will also be donated to breast cancer research and education.

The beneficiaries this year will include the following:

Massachusetts

• Amherst- UMASS Protect Our Breasts Program
• Boston – Mass General Hospital Gillette Center for Breast Cancer
• Boston – Brigham & Women’s Hospital Breast Oncology Program
• Boston – Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers
• Boston – Boston Medical Center Belkin Breast Health Center
• Boston – American Cancer Society Making Strides Again Breast Cancer of Boston
• Holyoke – Holyoke Medical Center Women’s Center
• Longmeadow – Survivor Journeys Breast Cancer Program
• Ludlow – The Pink W.A.Y. (Women Around You)
• Northampton – Cancer Connection
• Northampton – Cooley Dickinson Hospital Women’s Health Care
• Norwood – Ellie Fund
• Pittsfield – Berkshire Medical Center Women’s Imaging Center
• South Weymouth – South Shore Health Systems
• Springfield – Baystate Health Foundation Rays of Hope
• Springfield – Mercy Medical Center Mercy Breast Care Center
• Worcester – Saint Vincent Hospital Breast Care Clinic
• Worcester – UMASS Memorial Health Care Comprehensive Breast Center

Connecticut

• Derby – Griffin Hospital Breast Wellness Program
• Hartford – Gardner’s House Wellness and Recovery Cancer Center
• Hartford – Hartford Hospital Partnership for Breast Care
• Hartford – St. Francis Foundation Comprehensive Breast Health Center
• Madison – Infinite Strength
• Middletown – Middlesex Health Cancer Center
• New Britain – Connecticut Breast Health Initiative
• New London – Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation
• New Haven – Yale-New Haven Cancer Center Breast Cancer Program
• Norwich – Backus Hospital Breast Cancer Initiatives
• Stafford Springs – Johnson Memorial Hospital Breast Care Center
• Torrington – Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Pink Roses Program
• Waterbury – St. Mary’s Hospital Breast & Oncology Center
• Westbrook – Middlesex Health Cancer Center
• Willimantic – Windham Hospital Foundation Breast Cancer Program

With the continued support of its customers, Big Y’s Partners of Hope campaign aims to ensure that critical care and resources remain accessible to those affected by breast cancer.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WWLP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WWLP staff before being published.