Pink Pirate Ball Proceeds Benefit Deserving Breast Cancer Patients

Guests in pirate costumes at the inaugural Pink Pirate Ball will be wearing pink, a color that no real swashbuckler would have ever considered donning, but it’s for a good cause. Susan Oates, the new executive director of Paint Georgia Pink, the ball’s sponsor, has even obtained pink plumes to accent their pirate hats. Just in case they forget to wear pink. 

A nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Paint Georgia Pink was founded in 2010 by tireless breast cancer advocate Randi Passoff, who lost her battle with the disease in September 2010. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. The Passoff Family reached out to Susan Oates, a Duluth resident and longtime volunteer for Randi’s many efforts to raise breast cancer awareness and funds, to lead Paint Georgia Pink.

Following Randi’s lead, Oates said, Paint Georgia Pink will be bringing the Atlanta community together through many events including the Pink Pirate Ball March 19 at the Northeast Atlanta Hilton and the Randi Passoff Memorial Breast Cancer Walk Saturday, Sept. 17, at Centennial Olympic Park, cocktail parties, athletic events, and much more.  On the Sunday after the ball, the Gwinnett Gladiators are sponsoring Pink at the Rink.

The 7 p.m.-midnight ball features a costume contest, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a DJ, dancing, door prizes, a silent auction and cash bar. Guests are being encouraged to wear pirate costumes, but any period costume or formal attire is also appropriate, as long as they're wearing something pink.

Passoff also was the founder and previous executive director of It's the Journey Inc and the 30-mile Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. The Northeast Atlanta Hilton, where the Pink Pirate Ball is being held, served as the base for the walk in 2005 and 2006. The Northeast Atlanta Hilton is located at 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. In Norcross.

“Paint Georgia Pink’s purpose is to help bring resources to Georgia's under-served and/or under-insured fighting breast cancer,” said Oates. “Over the years, we've found too many people have fallen through the cracks because they didn't know about services and support that was available, or they just couldn't afford it. We will be partnering with Emory University Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital to assist with finding qualified candidates fighting this vicious disease.”

The organization is also building Randi’s Army, an idea formed at her funeral. Randi’s son realized while he was away fighting a war in Iraq, his mother was at home building an army to fight the war on breast cancer, Oates said. Paint Georgia Pink plans to partner with merchants all across Georgia to create the Randi’s Army Discount Card, which allows local businesses to provide special discounts to card holders.

Finally, Paint Georgia Pink hopes to be the state’s primary resource for “all things pink,” she said. “Our forthcoming website will list just about any resource in the state needed when diagnosed with breast cancer. Patients, family members, caregivers and loved ones may find the resources and comfort they need via our website with just a few clicks of a mouse. Never before have so many resources relating to breast cancer been listed in one, easy to navigate location until now. Paint Georgia Pink will be the place to turn to get the answers and peace of mind those struggling with this disease so desperately need to help them make decisions and most of all, wage war on breast cancer.”