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Local nonprofit asks Sumter County to proclaim ‘Pink in the City,’ seeks financial help for patients
Summary
Face Strong, a Sumter-based nonprofit supporting people with breast cancer, asked County Council to proclaim the first Saturday in October as “Pink in the City,” asked for street ribbon decorations during October, and requested county support for gas cards and other assistance for treatment-related travel.
Minister Tika Haroz, founder of Face Strong, asked Sumter County Council on Tuesday to formally proclaim the first Saturday in October as “Pink in the City,” to decorate Liberty and Main streets with painted ribbons during October, and to consider support for gas cards and other direct assistance for residents traveling for chemotherapy and radiation.
Haroz told the council her group is the only local organization still running an in‑person support group since the COVID‑19 pandemic and described services Face Strong provides, including a monthly support group (third Saturdays, 12–2 p.m. at Victory Church), “face bags” delivered upon diagnosis, monthly snack bags to oncology patients, a birthday‑recognition gift program and caregiver support. “The purpose of why we’re here today is that we petition the county for more support because we want to bring more awareness, educate, and advocate,” she said.
Nut graf: Face Strong said it serves more than 100 local residents and asks the county for formal recognition and modest support to ease treatment burdens. The requests are nonbinding; Haroz framed them as ways to raise awareness, celebrate survivors and help patients who face transportation costs for treatment.
Council members and staff acknowledged the presentation and allowed Haroz and members of her support group to stand and be recognized in the chamber. Haroz told the council Face Strong has reached national attention and that a national award and a forthcoming grant are expected to raise the group’s profile.
The organization gave examples of its assistance to patients, saying volunteers deliver snack bags monthly to South Carolina Oncology on Lafayette and to the office of Dr. Gonzales and that the group includes patients and caregivers coming from surrounding cities. Haroz said Face Strong’s membership totals 103 and includes men and women, and she described being a two‑time breast cancer survivor now being treated for metastatic disease.
The council did not take an immediate vote on a proclamation during the meeting. Haroz’s requests were made during the public comment portion of the agenda; the transcript does not record a specific motion, appropriation, or staff directive tied to the requests.
Ending: Haroz provided a written packet to the council and introduced members of her support group during her remarks. The council did not make a formal decision on the proclamation or funding at the meeting; any formal action would require council agenda placement and a recorded vote in a future meeting.
