"Think Pink" wine tasting at the Vine benefits local breast cancer patients

Putting food on the table and paying bills is tough enough for many.

Factoring in extra cash for medical bills and prescription co-payments can add more stress.

That's why a local organization is “thinking pink,” so cancer patients can have a little less pressure and pain.

We all know pink symbolizes breast cancer awareness in the month of October, but RiverBend Cancer Services say their fourth annual "Think Pink" wine tasting event at the Vine is a little bit different than the many other local fundraising.

There’s a toast at the table to a fun evening, good food, and good friends. Some are old friends and some are new. Many friendships are formed in the fight against breast cancer.

RiverBend’s Executive Director, Kate Voelker made the event possible.

Voelker is always thinking pink. Several people in her family were cancer patients, some passed away and some are survivors.

She says, “I have kind of a real desire in the community to help people if I can. There's a lot of events that support national causes that raise money for research and research is very important, but times are tough and we may pay for a full prescription for some cancer patients and for some just a co-payment.”

Voelker says at some point, someone in your life will be affected, that's why it's important not only in October, to make pink a priority.

She says, “Breast cancer strikes one in eight women and that's a lot of us. Although, men have breast cancer too. I think it's about 1500 men will develop breast cancer this year and 400 men will die”

Money raised will also go to counseling services for patients, even wigs and styling.