Southport Magazine

Little Pink Houses of Hope is an organization that provides week long vacations for breast cancer patients and their families. Eleven families (about 40 people) will be coming to Oak Island from September 11 – 17, 2016 Jeanine Patten-Coble, herself a breast cancer survivor, started this organization. Diagnosed in June, 2009 on her way to a family vacation, she developed the idea leading to the mission statement of the organization to “promote breast cancer recovery by offering opportunities for survivors to reconnect and celebrate life”. She continues the efforts with what her co-worker calls a “heart for serving”.

This tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 organization realizes that a cancer diagnosis impacts both the person and their family. The beach retreat, currently offered in NC, SC, AL, DE, FL and CA, helps families who live under the same roof to relax, reconnect and rejuvenate during their journey. Participants must currently be undergoing some type of treatment or have recently completed treatment. While not an opportunity for an extended family reunion, the immediate family benefits while only sharing the financial burden of the travel. The majority of funding comes from private donations although some grants have been received in the past.

Oak Island Accommodations has been instrumental, in our area, by contacting home owners who are willing to donate their homes for families. In addition, they provide the linens and cleaning services to both the families and volunteers who come to assist the program.

The retreat includes morning local activities arranged to the desires of the participants but based on local community donations. These may include paddle boarding, golf, jewelry making, kayaking, a trip to Fort Fisher Aquarium etc. Lunch is typically a donated meal provided by one of our local restaurants or church group. Each house is stocked with breakfast foods and drinks. Lunches and dinners are held as a common meal but you are welcome to decline participation to be with your family unit. Amy Matthews, one of the employees, notes that the final night of the retreat is a very special and structured evening activity to allow sharing amongst the group as well as closure to the event.