Penske Pink Out Celebrates 10 Years of Breast Cancer Awareness
Penske associates across the organization will join today for Penske Pink Out – an associate-led breast cancer awareness event now celebrating its 10th year.
Maggie Seaman, National Account Manager - Northeast Region, whose mother passed away in 2017 from breast cancer, created Penske Pink Out to promote breast cancer education and to provide support to those battling the disease.
Penske Pink Out first began in 2015 with 200 associates in New Jersey and New York and has grown into a global movement.
Last year, more than 20,000 associates participated across Penske’s global footprint. Associates in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Mexico and the U.S. are expected to participate this year.
“I’ve seen a big shift in how we are open and communicating about breast cancer. Associates have embraced breast cancer awareness and demonstrated it is a very worthy cause,” Seaman said.
Breast Cancer by the Numbers
Penske Pink Out coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which seeks to bring attention to breast cancer and raise funds dedicated to finding a cure.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Canada and the U.S. trailing only skin cancer.
In Canada, 30,500 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, representing 25% of all new cancer cases in women in 2024, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. 1 in 8 women, or approximately 13% of the female population will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).
In 2024, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, according to the NBCF.
Driving Breast Cancer Awareness
In the weeks leading up to Penske Pink Out, associates held fundraisers, shared breast cancer information, and rallied around those who shared their connection to breast cancer.
Community service is an important part of the Penske Pink Out movement.
Nearly 200 associates in 15 states are participating in 24 American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, which raises awareness and funds dedicated to research, 24/7 support for cancer patients and access to lifesaving screenings.
“Penske Associates, their families and friends that participate in their community at a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event; whether it is forming team/joining a team, organizing fundraisers or volunteering on the event planning committee are at the heart of advancing the mission of the American Cancer Society (ACS) to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families,” said Stephanie McDonald, Director of Corporate Relations for the American Cancer Society.
“Their involvement allows ACS to fund research breakthroughs in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship - and most notably, allows ACS to provide direct patient support to cancer patients and their families, whether it is providing a free ride to treatment or a free place to stay when they are traveling far from home for their cancer treatments,” McDonald said.
In addition, associates have also donated time to support the ACS’ Hope Lodge communities. The network of more than 30 lodges provides a free place to stay for people facing cancer and their caregivers when they travel to seek treatment.
Penske Pink Out could not have been as successful as it has been without the support of associates and leadership across the organization, Seaman said.
“Without leadership support, this would have never taken off in the first place. I think we have not only leadership at Corporate, but senior leaders and area leaders in the field who have embraced it, and it has been something they have encouraged their teams to support and to give back to the community,” Seaman said.
Follow Penske's Facebook, Instagram and X pages to learn how our associates are marking #PenskePinkOut24.
Click the video below to learn more about Penske Pink Out and the associates who support it.
By Bernie Mixon
Sue Maier