Nothingpink

NothingPink was founded in 2015 in South Carolina by President and Executive Director, Kelly Kashmer. At 31 years old, Kelly and her husband were in the middle of moving into a new house with their four- and one-year-old daughters. She noticed that she was feeling very fatigued, but thought it was nothing she couldn’t explain away as a result of their busy life. At a routine OB/GYN appointment shortly after relocating, Kelly's doctor recommended a test to identify whether she carried the gene mutation for breast cancer. Two weeks later, she tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation. Her doctor explained the heightened risk of breast (86%) and gynecological cancer (64%), leaving Kelly overwhelmed with confusion and fear. After consulting a genetic counselor, Kelly and her husband Korey believed she could choose between a double mastectomy or biannual screenings. However, her condition was more severe than anticipated. Despite being asymptomatic, she received a diagnosis of Stage II Triple Negative Breast Cancer in October 2014. Over the next several months, Kelly endured a series of challenges including, chemotherapy, fevers, blood transfusions, infections, and eleven surgeries. She lost her hair, underwent a double mastectomy, and battled debilitating sickness every day. Throughout this difficult period, she found herself surrounded by the color pink. While pink had always symbolized fun, happiness, and joy to her, for Kelly, there was NOTHING PINK about breast cancer. Kelly is now in remission. Her challenging and possibly life-threatening journey, and the importance of having proper guidance, resources, and support inspired the creation of NothingPink. Our mission is to ensure that every individual identified as a "previvor" or survivor with hereditary breast and gynecological cancer markers receives the same level of opportunity and support that Kelly received. After nine years of operation, NothingPink has formed successful partnerships with prominent advocacy groups and healthcare providers, including Carolinas Breast Health Coalition, South Carolina Gynecological Cancer Foundation, 24 Foundation, Levine Cancer Institute, After Cancer, Novant Health, Teal Diva, Center For Natural Breast Reconstruction, MUSC, Ambry Genetics, Myriad Genetics, Labcorp, Invitae Genetics, Seagen, Charlotte Radiology, and Pfizer. NothingPink considers a Previvor as someone who has an elevated predisposition to cancer due to risk within their family. Our focus is on supporting women at higher risk for Hereditary Breast and gynecological Cancer Syndrome (HBOC), often referred to as "previvors." Our goal is to assist them in remaining cancer-free by understanding their medical options/treatment path, the resources available (clinical trials, screenings), and prophylactic measures. 

Mission: Providing awareness, education, and support to previvors and survivors of hereditary breast and gynecological cancers.

Vision: All families with a hereditary risk of cancer have the resources and support to proactively manage their health, reduce their risk of cancer, and prevent cancer diagnoses.

We serve previvors in the greater Charlotte area and York County, South Carolina. When previvors come to us, they are often frightened, overwhelmed, and confused. They have been given information about their increased cancer risk, and the choices they make in response to this information will change the trajectory of their lives and their families’ lives. Nothing Pink is unique in our response and support of this community:

1. We are an educational conduit that condenses the ocean of genetic information into practical, helpful steps for care and prevention.

2. We are the only HBOC support group in the area for people considering genetic testing or preventative steps.

3. We are the only regional organization that provides financial support specifically for individuals considering genetic testing, or preventative steps.

“The Roots” home is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We extend our in-person services to all regional women battling breast and gynecological cancers, regardless of their genetic disposition. We receive many referrals by way of medical providers, word-of-mouth and key community partnerships such as Teal Divas, Invision and The Pink House. 

Many of our previvors are sent through a referral from other area nonprofits, genetic counselors and healthcare providers. Providers give their patients a NothingPink Support Folder, which contains previvor and survivor experiences and testimonies, What is NothingPink?, and an invitation to join the community. Patients can contact Nothing Pink directly via web, email, or phone.

To date, Nothing Pink has served 363 previvors and survivors impacted by breast and gynecological cancers.