Pink the Basin is back in person
Mar. 25—Pink the Basin's annual luncheon will return this year in a different month than usual after being sidelined by COVID the last two years.
This year's luncheon, which usually takes place in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will be held in April due to scheduling conflicts with this year's guest speaker comedian Leanne Morgan.
This year's event is scheduled April 12 at the Midland Horseshoe Pavilion.
"The only difference this year is that the luncheon is going to be in April," Pink the Basin Executive Director Carolina Keith said. "We have had our speaker Leanne Morgan on retainer for two years and she notified us that she couldn't do it in October. We wanted to keep her so we moved it to April 12 at the Horseshoe."
Pink the Basin's luncheon usually rotates between Odessa and Midland.
The last time the event was held was in October, 2019 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.
"The last two years, due to COVID, we felt like there are so many breast cancer patients and survivors that come to our luncheon and we felt like we couldn't have it and have the super spreader to those particular ladies," Keith said. "We're excited that we're able to have it this year and Midland Horseshoe is accommodating us and we're excited."
This year's luncheon will also include a fashion show featuring 10 breast cancer survivors from Odessa, Midland and Andrews as the models.
"We wanted to honor them," Keith said. "We felt like this is one way of honoring them by having models that are current and surviving patients."
The luncheon will also feature Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Since the event wasn't held the last two years, the Volunteer of the Year Award winners from 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be honored.
This year's Volunteer of the Year Award will be Tina Mobley while Roxy Brown will be recognized for last year and Christi Callicoatte for 2020.
Pink the Basin is also celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
"We've been able to help a lot of people and help them get the testing that they need to either get on with their lives for another or address an issue that's come up which can be life-changing and life-saving," Pink the Basin President Sheila Simmons said. "Those mammograms can save lives and do a lot. The fact that we can step in and help people with that is amazing, people that couldn't afford to without it."
Keith said they are excited to finally have the event back and in-person.
"Oh my goodness, we're so happy and thrilled that we get to see everybody," Keith said. "Everybody that has called in, reserved tables, they just can't wait. Usually they buy a table for friends. It's a great luncheon. Market Street is providing the food and everybody gets to come in and eat and listen to Leanne Morgan and watch the fashion show."
