McCracken: ‘If you find something, go get it checked’

By Jordan Troutman [email protected]

For 16 years, Power of Pink has reached out with love, care and financial support to women in the Four State Area who are living with breast cancer.

Janice McCracken, Power of Pink founder and organizer, said with the addition of the nine ladies from this year, the organization has helped 67 total women and raised $554,846.86.

“We had nine ladies in 2026,” McCracken said. “That is the most women we have ever had in a single year.”

McCracken continues to give her thanks to God, as she does every year. 

“I stood up in church back in January and said, ‘Watch for a miracle from God, we have never seen this many women before,’” she said. “But, people stepped up and fundraised for all of this to happen.”

The Power of Pink raised $90,003.45 for the 2026 ladies, with each receiving $10,000.38.

“We had raised a little less than $87,000,” McCracken said. “On the Sunday before we wrote the checks, a friend called and said she had raised the difference to get the total over $90,000.

“That is another miracle from God.”

McCracken said the 2026 Power of Pink banquet was absolutely amazing. 

“We had some people step up and cook for us this year,” she said. “She worked for a catering service and was able to take care of the meals through donations. This allowed me to focus on other parts of the event.”

McCracken, along with others involved in the organization, continue to give God the glory for the ability to offer this service to the amazing women who are fighting against Breast Cancer. 

“It was a ‘God Year —’ he truly blessed it beyond anything we could have imagined,” she said. “Every year, it blows my mind what everyone is able to accomplish.

“My dad always said, ‘You can’t out give God.’ This really shows that.”

McCracken is always just as thankful to her community for the support it takes to make the Power of Pink a force in helping women fight against Breast Cancer.

“We live in small communities,” she said. “But, these people donate, buy auction items and help out any way they are able to, and it brings it all together.”

There were many new additions to the organization this year to provide supplies, auction items and gather businesses to donate to the cause. 

“One of the past ladies made a post on social media,” McCracken said. “She wanted to make it clear to people to be cautious and aware of where they sent their money. She had been turned down by [a well-known Breast Cancer Awareness organization] because she didn’t meet the criteria. 

“Then she found out that only 20% of what they raised actually went to cancer patients.”

The Power of Pink Foundation has always given 100% of the funds raised to the women who have become “Pink Ladies.”

“I pray every year that we won’t have any nominees, that there aren’t any women living with Breast Cancer,” McCracken said. “But until then, we are here, and we will keep going.”

Breast Cancer affects women in more ways than one. 

“One of the ladies from last year has three daughters,” McCracken said. “Two of them have Breast Cancer. 

“The women are getting younger and younger.”

In 2025, McCracken set a goal to purchase the tables for the banquet rather than continuing to spend money on renting them.

“A foundation reached out and donated all of those tables,” she said. “That is just one of the many, many individuals and groups that have made all of this possible. God continues to bless this.”

Last year, there was a woman who donated Bibles to the women nominated for the Power of Pink.

“The women in her church highlighted certain passages in the Bibles,” McCracken said. “One of the women said it was one of the best gifts she had ever received. 

“I don’t want a single lady to leave there having not heard or known Jesus.”

There is no limit to the way people can help the Power of Pink. 

“We have a church group that makes game baskets for the auction,” McCracken said. “Everyone brings one game, so it isn’t too expensive for one person to do.”

The Power of Pink is about support and love, and there is no shortage of either when it comes to showing up for the Pink Ladies every single year.

“As for 2027, we are just working on getting it going,” McCracken said. “The Power of Pink walk and run continue to grow every year. This year we even added a car show and there was a great turnout.

“We will continue to add new things and make it bigger and better every year to help as much as possible.”

For 16 years McCracken has received nominations, called the women and heard their stories, she fights for them and finds and offers any support she is able to.

“Nominations are open from January to December,” she said. “I reach out to the nominees in January and ask if they want to be a part of the Power of Pink. But the nominations are open all year.”

Through her experience in this journey, McCracken has one thing she wants every woman to hear.

“Don’t let age stop you,” she said. “If you find something, go get it checked. I have seen the women getting younger and younger