HUNTINGTON, NY – Heckscher Park was filled with compassion, strength, and community spirit as residents gathered for the annual Pink in the Park – a Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention Fair presented by Huntington Councilwoman Theresa Mari and Supervisor Ed Smyth. The event brought together survivors, families, and local organizations to raise awareness and celebrate hope, resilience, and early detection.
The morning began with an opening ceremony and a walk around the pond, where attendees were encouraged to pick up hand-painted inspirational rocks placed along the path, donated by residents from 3 years old to seniors. The day continued with entertainment, performances by Dancin’ Feet, The Atomic Pandas, and One Nite Band, as well as booths offering valuable health information and local products focused on wellness and empowerment. “Write A Ribbon” boards were placed throughout holding rows of pink ribbons with a hundred or more names of loved ones battling breast cancer inscribed – in Honor of (Survivors), in Solidarity with (current Warriors), and in Memory of those lost to the disease. Councilwoman Theresa Mari makes a donation to a local breast cancer charity for every name recorded.
Councilwoman Theresa Mari, who created Pink in the Park, shared her deeply personal journey with breast cancer – a story of courage, faith, and the power of community. She reminded the crowd why this event matters so much: “According to the American Cancer Society, in 2024, 850 women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer every day. We need to continue our efforts to raise awareness, raise money, and ensure everyone has access to early detection because early detection is absolutely the key.”
Mari spoke candidly about her own diagnosis, the challenges of navigating treatment without insurance, and the importance of support systems and self-advocacy. She urged attendees to take charge of their health, perform regular self-checks, and surround themselves with people who can help them through the process. “The biggest key to anyone facing this challenge is to always have someone with you, someone to help you ask questions, take notes, and remind you that you’re not alone,” she shared.
Her words resonated with the crowd, inspiring both survivors and supporters alike. As the event continued, participants enjoyed a day filled with music, community, and heartfelt gratitude. “To every person who played a role in making today possible, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Mari said. “You make Huntington its best.” Co-Sponsored by Huntington Matters, the Ferro Foundation, Reworld, the Huntington YMCA and the Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct, this year’s Pink in the Park was more than just an event, it was a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with compassion and purpose.
THANK YOU to all of the rock artists, and the following participants:
- Adelphi NY Statewide – Breast Cancer Hotline
- Advanced Holistic Health Care
- Aeon Womens Health
- Andie Bearie Cards
- Art of Pilates
- Ascension Wellness
- Beautiful Addiction Spa of Northport
- Bellissima
- Collaborative Therapy of Long Island
- Cornell Cooperative Extension – LI Energy Hub
- Cycle Bar
- Dancin’ Feet
- doTERRA
- Drum Beats Connection
- Epic Outreach Program
- Expressions Boutique
- Evangelistic Outreach Mission
- Fidelis
- Finding Your Balance
- Foobs and Fitness
- Giadashop_NewYork
- Harborfields Public Library
- Heckscher Museum of Art
- Housing Help
- Huntington Public Library
- Huntington Youth Bureau
- Huntington CDA – Community Development Agency
- If You Can Dream It Travel
- Inner Reflections – Mental Health Counseling P.C.
- iStretch
- Jewels with Leigh
- JMACcessoriesLI
- Lazanny
- Mac Bounce – Circus & Mac Snacks
- Morel Hair Design
- Mr Miguel Blanco
- Nikivan LLC
- Northwell Health – Huntington Hospital
- NYU Langone Health
- Pink Aid
- Planned Parenthood
- Pretty Planters
- Primerica
- PSEG
- Roadhouse Empanadas
- Roots Smoothie and Juice
- Set with Lex
- Smile More in Life Everyday
- South Mountain Craft Co.
- The Maurer Foundation – (Breast Health Education)
- The Owl and the Pussycat
- Trene Creations
- Wellness Matters
- Dancin’ Feet – Entertainment
- One Nite Band – Entertainment
- Atomic Pandas – Entertainment
- The Wright Realtor – Sponsor
- The Ferro Foundation – Sponsor
- Reworld – Sponsor
- St. Joseph’s University – Sponsor
- Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers – Sponsor
- Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct – Sponsor
- Huntington Matters – Sponsor
