Community Corner

Mom, Breast Cancer Survivor Debbie Cantwell Pays it Forward

The founder of The Pink Daisy Project shares how she was inspired to support young women fighting breast cancer.

This post was written by Kathleen F. Miller. 

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.

Debbie Cantwell was just 41 when she was diagnosed in 2006 with breast cancer. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy, followed by eight rounds of chemo and 37 radiation treatments. While recovering from reconstructive surgery, in 2008 she founded The Pink Daisy Project, a national nonprofit organization devoted to helping young women (under 45) cope with the financial hardships of treatment.  To date the organization has helped more than 400 families.

Debbie runs The Pink Daisy Project while working full time as the copy manager for drugstore.com and Beauty.com. She shares her Pink Daisy duties with a handful of volunteers who help out a few hours a month. The organization is mostly supported by the generosity of private donors, many of whom are breast cancer survivors themselves.

Q. What inspired you to take on this challenge?
A. "After treatment, I knew I could never repay my friends, family and co-workers for all the kindnesses they had shown me by sending meals, gifts, cards and well wishes. For taking care of my kids when I was too tired to play. And for donating vacation days so I didn’t have to lose pay while receiving chemotherapy or recuperating. Instead of paying them back, I decided to pay it forward.

"Around this time I met a young, single mom who was struggling to care for her three children, the youngest just 8 months old. I was struck by the dramatic difference in our situations. I would come home from chemo and nap while a friend or relative prepared dinner for me and my family. This woman came home and had to care for her kids alone. She inspired me to take action.

"The Pink Daisy Project provides breast cancer patients with gift cards for restaurants, groceries, gas and prescriptions. Our mission is to help offset the extra bills that come during treatment. It’s not a lot, but it helps ease the stress so patients can focus on healing instead of worrying about putting food on the table or gas in the car. I named the organization after my Grandma Daisy, a courageous breast cancer warrior herself. It’s in her honor I lend a hand to my breast cancer 'sisters.'"

Q. What are you trying to achieve right now?
A. In 2011, I was named a CNN Hero. The international exposure was phenomenal. But eventually, the momentum slowed and I learned that The Pink Daisy Project can’t survive on individual donations alone. Today, I’m seeking national grants as well as corporate sponsorship to help sustain the flow of funds. The need is so great and I’d hate to turn anyone away, especially those with nowhere else to turn.

Q. What will you do when you succeed?
A. Until there’s a cure for breast cancer, I’ll continue to help other women juggle cancer treatment and care for their families. The need is constant but the funding isn’t. Younger women with breast cancer often face more aggressive forms of cancer and lower survival rates. They can’t wait for a cure. They need help today.

More information about The Pink Daisy Project is available here.


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