EquipmentShare, one of the fastest-growing equipment rental companies in the nation because of its T3 technology, observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October by raising $13,736.24 to support National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia, Mo. Using the theme “Building Hope for a Cure,” EquipmentShare team members rallied together to raise money for organizations and medical facilities that prevent and treat breast cancer. EquipmentShare’s headquarters in Columbia held “penny wars,” in which departments competed with one another to donate the most spare change and cash. Team members also recorded video messages of hope, inspiration and support to those fighting breast cancer. On October 15, the company challenged its 90+ locations to participate in a “Pink Friday” fundraiser, where team members donated $5 to a GoFundMe to wear the color of the breast cancer ribbon. The EquipmentShare location with the largest donation was the Orlando, Fla., branch, which raised $525. Through the “penny wars” and the GoFundMe fundraiser, employees donated $6,868.12, which was matched by EquipmentShare for a grand total of $13,736.24. Half of the gift will be used by NBCF, and the other half will be used by the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center.
“Our team across the nation once again showed how passionate they are about helping others, and their participation in fundraising also showed just how many families are affected by the disease,” said Danielle Schlacks, member of EquipmentShare’s executive support team. “Together, we are working to build hope for the cure by raising funds to support research and awareness about early detection.”
Last year was EquipmentShare’s first year observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a company. It’s now part of the company’s giving back mission to support services and facilities that prevent and treat this disease, which affects one in eight U.S. women in their lifetime.
NBCF's mission is to help women diagnosed with breast cancer by providing early detection programs, support services, education and inspiration. Through mammograms, retreats, support groups, care packages and patient financial assistance, NBCF breaks down barriers in the complex cancer care system. NBCF also partners with facilities across the country to offer its National Mammography Program, which provides preventive screenings and diagnostic services to low-income, uninsured or underinsured patients. EquipmentShare's gift will support NBCF's programs and services that directly help women navigate their breast cancer diagnosis.
“NBCF is thankful for the support from EquipmentShare to our mission of Helping Women Now,” NBCF SVP of Development Mandy O’Neill said. “Their donation will enable us to continue providing help and inspiring hope to women affected by breast cancer across the U.S.”
The Ellis Fischel Cancer Center is accredited as a cancer provider by the American College of Surgeons. It will use EquipmentShare's gift to maintain its mobile mammography van, or "mamm van," which serves 26 Missouri counties and has provided life-saving mammograms on the go to women throughout rural Missouri since 1992.
Learn more about preventing and treating breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women, at nationalbreastcancer.org