In 2014, a family friend of Operation BeYoutiful Chief Operating Officer Andi Palmar was diagnosed with breast cancer. Inspired by the support her friend received during her treatment, Andi’s daughter Lauren wanted to create a way to help others who were going through a similar journey.
From this idea, Operation BeYoutiful was created, and ten years later, the organization is still helping women in our community every day. Operation BeYoutiful started as a nonprofit organization with their own 501c3 status. Andi came to us in 2020 because she wanted to focus more on the programmatic side of her organization. Opening the Operation BeYoutiful Fund at CFA has allowed Andi and her team to stay focused on their organization’s mission, while we handle the administrative side.
The organization originally began providing wigs for teenage girls who had lost their hair due to chemotherapy or other medical treatments or conditions, but it soon became much more.
In 2020, Operation BeYoutiful expanded their outreach to women of all ages, providing support, friendship, and community to those going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Now, in addition to providing wigs, Operation BeYoutiful has expanded their services to include wig cleanings, spa treatments, monthly meet ups, meals, house cleaning, and counseling services, all of which are at no cost to the women.
“We’ve really expanded our programming to try to encompass all of the things that these women need while going through their individual treatment journeys,” said Andi Palmar.
For many of these women, their journey involves treatment for breast cancer. According to Andi, approximately 90% of the women helped by OperationBeYoutiful have some type of cancer. Most of those women have breast cancer.
Not only is October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it is also when Operation BeYoutiful holds their annual gala. This year’s event was a Great Gatsby-themed Night with Fitgerald Gala, where guests were encouraged to dress in their best 1920s inspired attire. “It’s kind of like a Halloween party every year,” said Andi. “We encourage everyone to dress up, and everyone went above and beyond this year.” This year’s gala was the organization’s most attended event yet, with 250 people in attendance.
Operation BeYoutiful fosters a sense of hope and communal support not just for those fighting an illness, but also for those who donate to or volunteer at the organization. “I always tell the women that they do far more for me than I do for them,” remarked Andi. “Being able to offer an overall wellness package to these women to help make their lives a little bit better, while they are going through such an abnormal time, is just so important and so special.”
There is still time to help Operation BeYoutiful reach its goal of $75,000 for this year. Their final fundraiser of the year is the Holiday Haul 12 Days of Christmas Raffle. More information is available on their website. To donate to the Operation BeYoutiful Fund, click here. To learn more about our other partnership funds supporting cancer-related causes, visit the links below.
