After Navigating Breast Cancer, Francine Scott Is Devoted To Serving Women Facing Similar Diagnoses

Following a routine mammogram that had been postponed for one year due to COVID, Arnold resident Francine Scott received a diagnosis in June 2021 that she did not see coming. Subsequent testing revealed she had stage 2B triple negative breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer with a high recurrence rate.

According to the National Cancer Institute, about one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Scott began a chaotic journey of five months of chemotherapy, surgery, an immunotherapy drug, and relentless appointments. She described the experience as feeling like a tornado had ripped through her life and her family’s life, including her husband and their daughter who began her freshman year of college this fall.

As Scott navigated this challenging season, she made a mental note to reach out to someone she had met at a mom’s group in 2008. Fellow Arnold resident Kara Hamilton had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and later returned to the mom’s group as a guest speaker. Scott recalled that Hamilton was developing a ministry for women facing cancer diagnoses, called Pinked Perspective.

Hamilton ended up contacting Scott first after mutual friends let her know about Scott’s diagnosis. In September 2021, Hamilton brought Scott a Pinked Perspective breast cancer kit – the signature outreach of the faith-based nonprofit.

These kits, or care packages, contain comfort items including button-down pajamas, a mastectomy pillow to keep one’s arms away from an incision area following surgery, a flannel wrap to prevent irritation from surgical bras, a seatbelt pillow to protect chemo ports, a “Jesus Calling” daily devotional, a journal, soap and more.

Since 2012, Pinked Perspective has distributed more than 2,000 breast cancer kits to women in all 50 states, including 400 kits in the last year.

Knowing firsthand the impact of receiving one, Scott began sending kits to women she knew who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. “I became passionate about (Kara’s) mission and what she’s standing for, and how she’s been able to serve the breast cancer community with her ministry,” Scott shared.

She added, “A cancer diagnosis is a very dark time for the person and their family and loved ones, and no one knows the future. So, to be able to offer just a little piece of hope and light in a kit (lets recipients know) that someone is thinking of you, is there to support you along the way, even if they’re across the country.”

In 2023, Scott wanted to support Pinked Perspective more formally. She combined her loves of fall and entertaining and hosted a fall brunch and kit assembly with friends.

Knowing that Hamilton lived nearby, Scott asked how else she could help. She got involved with personalizing the kits to prepare them for shipping – inscribing the devotionals with recipients’ names, ensuring they include the correct size pajamas, and inserting a letter from Kara.

As the owner of a marketing consulting company, Scott couldn’t stop there. She offered Hamilton her expertise, and she has refreshed and created new marketing materials for Pinked Perspective including informational cards, brochures and website revisions.

Scott has also been instrumental in Pinked Perspective’s launch of empower hour workshops for breast cancer warriors that are held every other month.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approached this year, Scott helped Hamilton develop a full calendar of fundraising events and kit supply drop-off points throughout October. Pinked Perspective’s annual fundraiser is slated for October 28 and will take place at Oscar’s Alehouse in Pasadena.

Hamilton expressed appreciation for Scott’s faithful volunteerism.

“Although I would never wish for anyone to have to navigate a breast cancer diagnosis, I am not sure that Francine and I would have connected again in the same way without her journey of treatment for triple negative breast cancer. … What a joy to see that she would want to use her experience to make a difference for others, and what an absolute gift to me and many others that she would choose involvement with Pinked Perspective to make an impact,” Hamilton said.

To find a complete listing of Pinked Perspective October fundraisers, breast cancer kit supply items, and drop-off locations, go to www.pinkedperspective.org/events.

Do you know other deserving volunteers? Nominate them today by emailing spvnews@severnaparkvoice.com.

Volunteer of the Month is sponsored by Affordable Outdoor Kitchens.