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Bloomington, MN (June 27, 2018)—The Pinky Swear Foundation recently hosted their fifth annual Perk’s Pinky Swear Mess Fest, in partnership with KARE 11’s Eric Perkins on Saturday, June 23, 2018. This year, more than $22,000 was raised through event participation and fundraising efforts, marking this the most successful Perk’s Pinky Swear Mess Fest event to-date. Money raised from the event will support Pinky Swear Foundation’s mission of helping children with cancer and their families by paying for immediate non-medical needs like mortgages, rent, utility bills, and food.
“At Pinky Swear Foundation, we are helping kids who are battling cancer with financial and emotional support,” says Erica Campbell, CEO of Pinky Swear Foundation. “We are supporting kids and their families with their immediate needs; working hard to make a real impact right when they need it. Everyone who participated in this year’s Mess Fest has helped make a huge difference.”
More than 300 kids and adults of all ages completed the 11 “slopstacle” courses located at Minnesota Pro Paintball in Lakeville, MN which included: Perk’s Paintball Pit, Silly String Tangle, Perk’s Pipeline, Foam Dance Party and many more. Participating teams and individuals raised crucial funds that will make a difference in the life of kids and families going through a health and financial crisis. In many cases, the money raised provides basic needs such as mortgage or rent, transportation, utilities, gas cards and food.
“We started right here in Minnesota, but we are helping kids and families nationwide because the need is so great,” continues Campbell. “Thank you to everyone who is helping to keep the pinky swear promise.”
The 2018 Perk’s Pinky Swear Mess Fest event sponsors included KARE 11, BMO Harris Bank, Minnesota Pro Paintball, ESCAPE MSP, Tria Orthopaedic, Wiley Wallaby Australian Style Liquorice, Nutrisource Pet Food and Cities97.
Pediatric Cancer Facts
– One child is diagnosed with pediatric cancer every 45 minutes.
– The average age of diagnosis is 6 years old.
– The average length of treatment is 2 years.
– The average family will spend 25% of its disposable income on non-medical related expenses associated with the treatment of their child.
– One in 11 families with a child diagnosed with cancer will file for bankruptcy.s
– Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 15 in the U.S.
About Pinky Swear Foundation
Founded in 2003, Pinky Swear Foundation is a national 501c(3) not-for-profit headquartered in Bloomington, MN passionately committed to helping children with cancer and their families with financial and emotional assistance. Pinky Swear Foundation activities include a variety of community engagement and fundraising events around the nation, raising more than $15.5 million to-date. To learn more, visit www.pinkyswear.org.