About us
Sixteen years of increased impact.
Pink Lemonade Project was founded in Southwest Washington with one purpose: to make sure that no one in our region faces breast cancer without education, support, and community beside them. Today we serve 42 counties across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Our mission
“To educate, empower, and support all communities affected by breast cancer.”
Our impact
16
Years serving our region
42
Counties across Oregon and Southwest Washington
4,842
People supported in 2024
396%
Growth since 2021
Pink Lemonade Project's history
Where we started and where we're going.
From a small organisation in Southwest Washington to a regional leader in breast health education. Sixteen years of growth driven entirely by community need.
2009
Pink Lemonade Project is founded in Southwest Washington by Drs Allen and Cassie Gabriel, and the first Revive Retreat is launched.
2010
A casual Sunday afternoon between neighbours turned into an incredible brainstorm for one of PLP's most successful fundraising initiatives: the Waste Connections Pink Recycling Cart programme.
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
2014
The peer mentorship programme, Pink Peers, is launched.
2015
5th anniversary
2015
Since the closure of Susan G. Komen Oregon & SW Washington in 2021, we've proudly continued two of its local programmes: the Metastatic Breast Cancer Dinner Series and the Treatment Access Program (Toni Mountain Fund).
- 2016
- 2017
2018
Multiple support groups established; financial assistance launched in Vancouver, WA.
2019
10th anniversary
- 2020
2021
Our financial assistance offerings are expanded to all 42 counties; the MBC programme launches.
- 2022
- 2023
2024
Community Health Worker Project launched; Worship in Pink faith-based breast health education.
2025
15th anniversary
2025
Copy to come.
Meet our team
The people behind the mission.
Our staff brings together expertise in healthcare, community outreach, and nonprofit leadership, united by a simple shared belief: everyone deserves access to breast health support.
Susan Stearns, MBA, MA
Chief Executive Officer
Ann Berryman
Chief Strategy Officer
Karin Taylor
Chief Financial Officer
Our board of directors
Meet our leadership
- Janet Holland, LCSW, ChairJackson Care Connect / CareOregonExecutive Board Member
- Oluchi Onyima, Vice ChairTransition ProjectsExecutive Board Member
- Kenny Weiner, TreasurerBridge Meadows, retiredExecutive Board Member
- Lucy BeltranOregon Child Development CoalitionBoard Member
- Rev Allison Cannady-SmithBethel AME ChurchBoard Member
- John DeederSuperintendent, Evergreen Public Schools, retiredBoard Member
- Joanne KantorComForCareBoard Member
- Kelly O'Lague, MSW, LCSWUnited Way of the Columbia-WillametteBoard Member
- Kelly MichaelKaiser Permanente NWBoard Member
- Angie SearsSpirit Mountain Community FundBoard Member
- Toni Storm, MDCompass OncologyBoard Member
- Don StoseToyota Motor Sales, retired; Mayor, Ridgefield, WA, retiredBoard Member
- Michael WatkinsCowlitz Indian TribeBoard Member
Founders
- Allen Gabriel, MDAG Aesthetics
- Cassie Gabriel, MDColumbia Anesthesia Group
- Jeanne FirstenburgPresident, First Independent Bank, retired
- Rob NielsenWaste Connections
Our values
DEI commitment
Strongly committed to our values, they shape every programme, every partnership, and every person we serve. Pink Lemonade Project is committed to reaching all communities, especially those historically underserved by healthcare systems.
- Integrity
- Honest, evidence-based, clinically advised
- Inclusivity
- Every community, regardless of background
- Empathy
- Meeting people where they are
- Collaboration
- Partnering across healthcare
- Clinically advised
- Partnering across healthcare and community
- Rural community outreach
- Expanding screening access and education to rural OR and SW WA communities experiencing later-stage diagnoses.
- Multilingual materials
- Awareness and educational materials available in 10 languages to serve every community we reach.
- Faith-based partnerships
- Breast health awareness events with faith-based organisations in underserved communities.
- Uninsured individuals
- All Pink Lemonade Project programmes are free of charge regardless of insurance status, so cost is never a barrier to care.
Open, accountable, and community-funded
Pink Lemonade Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We believe in full transparency with the donors, volunteers, and partners who make the work possible.
Annual report
Download our current and past annual reports. Full programme and financial overview.
Download 2025 reportMajor donors
Grateful recognition of the individuals and organisations whose generosity makes our work possible.
View donor listNews + media
Press releases, media coverage, and the newsletter archive from Pink Lemonade Project.
View all news
- Guidestar recognised
- Charity Navigator
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit