City goes pink for breast cancer awareness

Each spring, Glen Cove transforms into a breathtaking display of pink tulips, reminding onlookers of the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. This floral display is part of an ongoing initiative by Glen Cove CARES, a non-profit organization founded 28 years ago by breast cancer survivor Terry Petikas. In collaboration with the Glen Cove Beautification Commission, CARES has made it an annual tradition to plant thousands of pink tulip bulbs throughout the city. When the tulips bloom in spring, they serve as a powerful reminder of those affected by breast cancer and a visible message encouraging early detection.
The planting project has expanded over the years, with tulips being placed in prominent locations across the city. This year, the tulips were planted in front of all the veteran memorials, the “love triangle,” and behind City Hall. Local high school students from DECA, a business-oriented club, played a key role in planting the bulbs, further instilling in them the importance of community service and awareness about breast cancer.
The driving force behind Glen Cove CARES is to provide support to cancer patients in ways that go beyond what health insurance typically covers. According to Dr. Eve Lupenko, a board member of both Glen Cove CARES and the Beautification Commission, CARES helps about three to five people each year. These funds are used to offset medical costs, assist with homecare needs, transportation to chemotherapy sessions, and even everyday expenses such as gas, groceries, and utilities, which can become overwhelming for cancer patients and their families.
“When you’re out of work, there might be things that you might not be able to do like gardening, or landscaping, or maybe you’re behind on your gas, water or electric bill” Lupenko said. “We want to fill in the gaps where medical insurance doesn’t cover these extras in life.”
Nassau County has a breast cancer rate 10 percent higher than the state average, and breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among women worldwide, even surpassing lung cancer in terms of total diagnoses. In New York, more than 110,000 people are diagnosed with cancer annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those, over 35,000 die from the disease.

“Terry was a breast cancer victim, and she founded this organization just to help local people and local families survive,” Lorri Prince, president of Glen Cove CARES said. She noted in the early days of the organization, much of their fundraising went toward helping patients cover the cost of chemotherapy, which at the time was considered experimental and not always covered by insurance. Though insurance coverage has improved since then, the organization continues to help families with the many expenses that are still not fully covered.
Glen Cove CARES operates entirely on a volunteer basis, with all of the funds raised going directly to help those in need. The organization also funds cancer research at Cold Spring Harbor, aiming to support both the treatment and prevention of the disease. To continue their mission, the group hosts fundraising events throughout the year, including an annual dinner dance in February. The tulip planting project is one of the organization’s most visible efforts, but behind the scenes, their work extends much further into the community.
Anyone interested in supporting Glen Cove CARES can make a donation by calling Prince at (516)-671-0629. As the pink tulips bloom each spring, they will stand not only as a symbol of beauty but as a powerful reminder of the importance of community support and early detection in the fight against breast cancer.