Downtown Howell Goes Pink for a Cause

Never underestimate the power of pink.

The color that represents the fight against breast cancer lit up downtown Howell Thursday for its Third Annual Pink Party, a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. Supporters and survivors came together to show the positive power of thinking pink and to celebrate life and friendship.

“Everyone just looks very supportive and pink,” said Hartland high school junior Hannah Gaines, who came in honor of her aunt who lost her battle with breast cancer and her grandmother who is still surviving.

“It’s a cause close to our hearts,” said Gaines who along with several of her friends agreed that one of their favorite things about the Pink Party was seeing what everyone else was wearing.

With bra-hats that ranged from the "blinged-out" to polar-bear themed, many event-goers had a hard time picking their favorite one. 

“I think it’s a great idea and the outfits just add to the fun,” said Howell resident Kim Heisner who came to support of several of her co-workers battling the disease. “We’re just really impressed with the creativity.”

Six-year breast cancer survivor Kris Moyer from Howell, who was with her mother Marilyn, also a survivor, and her 11-year old daughter Audrey, said that having three generations of women in her family together for such an event was “amazing.”

“It makes you appreciate life,” she said.

Eleven-year-old Audrey, however, appreciated the fact that the Pink Party gave her the opportunity to play dress-up and wear her favorite tiara out in public.

“I always wear it around the house, like sometimes I put it on for fun,” she said. “But this is the first time I’ve ever worn it out in public.”

A festive vibe filled the streets, which local vendors had decorated with anything pink in preparation of the 1500 anticipated guests. With the majority of the guests being women, packs of girlfriends, some guided by their escorts, roamed the streets enjoying free massages, shopping and fitness demonstrations put by local gyms.

“I came last year with my friend who is a survivor and this year we brought all of our daughters and daughters-in-laws, so our group grew,” said Sandy Wiens from Swartz Creek. “And our escort, Tim, asked for us this year. I said, “What did we do?” We need to figure out what we did last year, did we buy him dinner, did we pinch him? I’m trying to remember what we did.”

Hartland resident Lara Hubbs-Bouse agreed that the escorts that were provided for groups larger than eight, helped play a big part in her enjoyment of the evening.

“He’s carrying all these bags,” Hubbs-Bouse said.  “It’s like having a husband that I didn’t have to bring with me. It’s awesome.”

With clear, blue skies complimenting all the pink below, some sponsors of the event gave a huge sigh of relief as the heavy rains that came down earlier that day seemed to clear up just in time for the party to start.

“Could it have been any better?” said Dabi Bresett of Fowlerville, who works for 1st National Bank, one of the sponsors of the event. “It was meant to be.”

One of the highlights of the event was when several breast cancer survivors took the stage and were given the chance to send messages out to the crowds of pink supporters around them. Shouting words of love, hope and encouragement, they recognized many of the ones who had supported them during their fight.

"I love my girlsfriends," one cancer survivor yelled.

A sentiment that seemed to be repeated by many of the women attending.

“Being with my friends, hanging out with all the girls,” Hartland resident Toni Reder said. “It’s a good time for a good cause.”

The men made their presence and support known as well, however. Stuart Byrd from Pinkney was among the crowd of pink in honor of his grandmother who he lost to the disease in 1994.

"It’s important, just because we’re not necessarily the victims of it, but we’re definitely affected by it in one way or another," he said. "And its definitely something we need to show our support for."