“Thank You . . . for granting my wish. This really will help me out financially and allow me to focus on getting better and less on how am I going to pay the bills. This really means the world to me! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!”
“I have donated and am a member of Pink Door Nonprofit Organization. As every woman has been affected by cancer one way or another, I feel good knowing that I’m able to help.” ~Daniel Lue, CBS TV Show Survivor: The Amazon
Welcome to Pink Door Nonprofit Organization (Pink Door) . . . “Opening a Door To A Whole New Way of Life For Women Cancer Survivors After Cancer!" As President and Founder of Pink Door (a nationally classified 501 c 3 nonprofit organization) since its formation in October 2007, I would like to welcome all women in remission from cancer to a new beginning. Pink Door embarks all women cancer survivors on the journey to start a whole new life after cancer!
Pink Door's creation began with my mother and best friend, Gayl Ann Gronauer Cole. In July of 1999, my mother was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer while under-going her annual OBGYN check-up. Like many breast cancer patients, my mother was immediately scheduled for chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In addition to this new discovery and aside from her personal health, my mother's primary focus remained on her income and “affording” to recover from breast cancer. After pulling through a difficult divorce just previous to her diagnosis, my mother's breast cancer treatment was luckily a success! Though left with quite a few medical bills, my mother's continued perseverance and commitment to finding a career path landed her in the role of a successful antique dealer here in the Houston community and across the country.
Three years later in November 2003, I had moved from Los Angeles to Houston in hopes of spending more time with my family, friends, and most importantly, my mother. Only one month after I had returned to Houston, my mother was unfortunately diagnosed with Stage 4 bone cancer; a metastasis from her former breast cancer in 1999. Weeks past by as my mother struggled. She could no longer walk while spending months in a wheel chair. Doctors encouraged her to pursue additional radiation treatments in order to shrink the tumors attached to her spine in order to help relieve pain and help her walk again. Fortunately, the there was success, but the therapy did not change the final outcome on her health for which I realized I was going to lose the very person that has been my inspiration, my rock in my most difficult and distraught times.
On August 25, 2005, my mother passed at the Houston Hospice. On that day, I had one final thought that crossed my mind ~ how proud I was of my mother's accomplishments and hard work throughout her life, yet how much easier would it have been for her to have financial support, build her resume, or finish her degree without having to spend the initial funds to make it all happen? Though it took the passing of one person I held so dear to my heart, it took that moment, my mother's love for which Pink Door's idea and creation began.
From that moment, I realized it’s time to make a difference in women’s lives after cancer. Pink Door was created embracing this concept, and giving women a new beginning after cancer. Like my mother, no woman should have to worry about “affording recovery." Instead, Pink Door now provides a way for women cancer survivors to “open a door to a whole new life" by offering programs to benefit women in their lives after cancer. By donating to our cause, you are not only donating to a charity, you are donating to an organization that will change these women's lives for a lifetime!
Best Regards,
Cortney A. Cole
President & Founder
Pink Door Nonprofit Organization
