A Lehigh Valley woman is hoping to make the holidays a little brighter for her fellow cancer warriors.
Deeana Bedics was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer back in 2013. She was just 48 years old at the time and that life-changing moment led to a life of giving back.
While going through her own cancer treatments, Deena created the nonprofit “Pink Pumpkins Coins 4 Chemo.” It’s a long name, but has a lot of meaning.
She founded the organization during Halloween so that’s where the pink pumpkins come in.
Deena says families are worried about bills, how they are going to afford groceries and pay their mortgage, when they should be focused on staying strong and healthy so they can fight their cancer.
And that’s where her nonprofit comes in.
For the past 10 years, she has been changing lives by fundraising throughout the year. She throws a Halloween bash that collects food and gift cards for cancer patients, a holiday fest and then a big holiday dinner for patients and their families.
It’s a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings along with gifts. Santa is there and so are therapy dogs from Lehigh Vally Health Network to help spread some joy.
Deena says no one battling cancer should ever fight alone, that she and other survivors are here to stand alongside you. And her nonprofit is a celebration of that. Her dedication helps hundreds of patients a year.
If you’d like to help, their next fundraiser is happening in November. That’s called Holiday Fest, and then that big Christmas Dinner is on Dec. 18.