Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and neither does Pink Lemonade.
By James Quinn
People with cancer of course need extra help, though when it comes to such a horrible disease, we may not always know how to help. Here in our local community, however, support for people with cancer exists. With the motto “fighting cancer together,” Pink Lemonade is a 501(c)(3) qualified non-profit organization in Vacaville that is “committed to serving cancer patients and their families while they battle through agonizing cancer therapies.” Their mission is at the essence of humanity: “to offer love, hope, faith and strength to cancer patients during their journey by providing meals, lawn service, and support.”
Founded in March 2012, Pink Lemonade is a team of volunteers that have provided meal preparation and delivery, yard maintenance, and emotional support to cancer patients for slightly over six years now. It all started when founder Donna Quintero survived breast cancer and wanted to help others after noticing the huge lack of support for cancer patients. “I’m a breast cancer survivor. And I lost my mom when I was seven due to breast cancer complications,” Quintero said. “When I was diagnosed and we were going through it, we had people bringing us meals whether it was our church, family, or friends. When I got healthy, my husband and I said, ‘What can we do to give back? We’re not doctors; we can’t save lives, but we can be there for cancer patients, and we can help them.’” Prior to her organization with Pink Lemonade, a legitimate organization that brings cooked meals and helps household tasks did not really exist.
To a healthy person, we may not realize how much help it is to have someone there for us—to actually listen. Most adults are used to being independent with a routine; with independence, there oftentimes comes the pride that renders shame when asking for help. Because Quintero herself has gone through cancer, she brings that personal perspective and empathy to the foundation, where she can relate through her own experience. “We didn’t even want to ask our own family members,” Quintero said. “You don’t want to be a burden to anybody, especially to your family and friends. So it’s hard to say, ‘Hey, can you come mow my lawn?’ or ‘Hey, can you come bring us food while I’m down?’ Nobody wants to ask for that, but we figure that doing this as a business—that’s our job—they’ll be more likely to ask for help.” Cancer is nothing to be ashamed about, and Pink Lemonade, Quintero and her husband Jason Quintero, are empathetic to better understanding where others and their families are coming from—to not make them feel incapable, but rather motivate them to get through it as a team.
The saying “it takes a village” is certainly true when tackling cancer, and the Pink Lemonade team takes their job seriously in helping both cancer patients and their families. “For us to say things like, ‘We’re there for you; feel free to ask us; we don’t judge you,’ really helps. If we can do whatever we can for you, we will,” Quintero said. It really helps to be able to have that extra help and support system that is reliable, and the team is committed. Jason Quintero added, “The response from our volunteers has been great. When we say we’re going to do something, it gets done. Our volunteers are following through, so our clients know it’s going to get done. They’re not getting left with empty promises.” While ensuring their patients’ comfort, of course, volunteers professionally keep all their clients’ information confidential.
The foundation understands that someone who is going through cancer currently has their life compounded—where their families are also impacted and their routines are broken. As such, Pink Lemonade provides cancer patients with a lot of emotional support, with a perspective that is outside of their family while still relating to having gone through cancer and surviving. Pink Lemonade is there to provide for all regardless of their situation, whether their family is having a hard time coping or their family is not helping out at all, or enough. People may not even be aware that Pink Lemonade exists—but you should now help spread the word!
Moreover, another big service that Pink Lemonade does is meal preparation and delivery, and for a family who is going through cancer, it can be a major relief. For instance, a cancer patient going through chemotherapy treatments will have less strength and likely lower motivation to cook, especially for a family. “Bringing you a meal takes the burden off of you so you don’t have to worry about that, especially on the days of your treatments,” Quintero said. “You can expect meals on these days so you can focus on other things that are more important: you getting healthy and spending time with your loved ones. We want to be able to be there for those clients so they don’t need to worry about what’s for dinner, like if you’re feeling too tired but your family still needs to eat.”
Because Pink Lemonade actively helps bring positivity to a negative situation, it makes sense why their name comes from the proverbial phrase: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” The color pink is to commemorate Quintero overcoming breast cancer, though she emphasizes, “We called it Pink Lemonade in honor of my journey, but we help all cancer patients. Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and neither do we. Life gave us lemons, and we’re doing what we can to give back and make lemonade out of it.” Pink Lemonade exudes optimism by bringing communities of volunteers together to give back and connect with cancer patients who need help.
Pink Lemonade functions best with its big-hearted volunteers, though that is actually one of the organization’s key needs at the moment: having enough volunteers. Quintero said, “We help all of Solano County, so we need enough volunteers to help everywhere. If we need to bring a meal to Vallejo, one in Dixon, and one in another city [for example], it’s not easy. We can’t get to all of those if it’s just us.” Of course, they cannot be at more than one place at once and do everything alone—so this could be a great opportunity for you or someone you know to be a part of a difference that you can feel very proud about. Their Facebook page states, “Looking for volunteers with a compassionate heart willing to commit to providing and delivering a meal to patients during their chemo/radiation therapy treatments.”
To volunteer, the best and easiest way to start is going online and signing up on their website pinklemonadefight.org. Since they are indeed a 501(c)(3) qualified non-profit organization, you may be eligible for a tax break to deduct certain expenses come tax time.
In addition to volunteering, other great ways to get involved are to donate to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (e.g. on their website, Facebook page, in person, at events, etc.). Also, you can attend their fundraiser events, such as their annual Afternoon Tea with Pink Lemonade in May, PinkFest in October, and/or Quartermania in November (to name a few). You can view and keep up to date on Pink Lemonade by visiting their website at pinklemonadefight.org, liking their Facebook page to follow them @PinkLemonadeOrganization, and signing up on their website to get email news updates. For questions and/or to schedule a phone consultation, visit their website or email them at contact@pinklemonadefight.org. Visit them in person inside the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce building at 300 Main St. Suite B, Vacaville, CA. 95688.
If you or someone you know is a cancer patient who would benefit from Pink Lemonade’s services, email or call (707) 901-PINK.
James Quinn lives in Benicia and teaches at Elmer Cave Language Academy in Vallejo. A UC Davis alumnus in English, he now studies education as part of Touro University’s Master’s in Education program. Along with teaching, he tutors and writes often. He is working on a novel that takes place in Benicia. See his website at mrquinnj.weebly.com.
