PINK-O de MAYO® Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness and Advocacy

By: Stacey Bomser | May 12, 2026 | 8 min. read |

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and THE PINK-O MOVEMENT expand early detection, fertility preservation and survivorship support for women at risk.

Women in festive costume at the Pinko de Mayo celebration — Wendi Sugarman Bieber with Dr. Patrizio Pasquale

Wendi Sugarman Bieber was in her late 40s when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer and underwent an aggressive chemotherapy regimen. It took a toll on her physically, mentally and emotionally. The diagnosis and treatment were life-altering, but came at a time when her family and future were already established.

Sadly, that is not the case for the 40,000 young women diagnosed with breast cancer each year. According to JAMA Network Open (2024), breast cancer incidence among U.S. women ages 20 to 49 years accounts for nearly 15% of breast cancer diagnoses annually.

THE PINK-O MOVEMENT Expands Access to Prevention and Care

As the mother of a 23-year-old daughter, this growing incidence of breast cancer among young women makes Bieber’s awareness and advocacy mission even more personal. She has expanded the reach of her PINK-O Charitable Foundation with the launch of THE PINK-O MOVEMENT in collaboration with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of UHealth — University of Miami Health System and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

“When I created the PINK-O Charitable Foundation in 2024, we were focused on supporting survivorship services at Sylvester because that was where I was at in my journey. But as breast cancer has evolved, so has PINK-O, with this high-impact, first-of-its-kind awareness and education campaign,” said Bieber. “An unprecedented number of young women are unknowingly living at high risk, carrying genetic mutations and missing access to surveillance and early detection that could change, or save, their lives. Together with Sylvester, THE PINK-O MOVEMENT is pioneering a bold, proactive model reaching younger women before they become part of these frightening statistics.”

Empowering Women

Working alongside Bieber and PINK-O Foundation executive board members Sherry Philipson, Gaby Cubeddu and Jennifer Ross is Bieber’s oncologist, Alejandra Perez, M.D., medical director of the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester’s Plantation facility.

Dr. Alejandra Perez in white clinic coat — Dr. Alejandra Perez

“THE PINK-O MOVEMENT is a new voice, a game changer,” said Dr. Perez, associate professor of medical oncology at the Miller School. “This is about empowerment and education. Together, PINK-O and Sylvester are changing the trajectory. We are at the forefront of screening, early detection and personalized care that can save lives.”

All profits from this year’s PINK-O de MAYO® event, an evening of fun, friendship and fundraising, will support THE PINK-O MOVEMENT, allowing Sylvester to:

• Deliver risk assessment, high-risk surveillance and early detection through the Cancer Assessment Risk Evaluation (CARE) Clinic

• Offer psychosocial support, integrative wellness, sexual health and long-term survivorship care through the Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute

Fertility Preservation Offers Hope for Young Breast Cancer Patients

Pasquale Patrizio, M.D., chief of the Miller School’s Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, was the 2026 PINK-O de MAYO guest honoree for his pioneering work in reproductive medicine and fertility preservation.

“Thanks to extraordinary advances in onco-fertility care, women now have access to options that once felt unimaginable, including hormonal suppression, egg and embryo freezing and ovarian tissue cryopreservation,” said Dr. Patrizio, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Miller School. “These innovations don’t promise a single outcome or remove the hardship of the journey, but they offer something incredibly powerful: the ability to plan forward, to dream again and to reclaim control over the future.”

Studio portrait of Dr. Pasquale Patrizio wearing a dark suit, patterned tie, and glasses, seated against a neutral background and facing the camera. — Dr. Pasquale Patrizio

In addition, Dr. Patrizio provides preimplantation embryo genetic testing, offering women with known breast cancer gene mutations the opportunity to prevent transmitting the mutation to their offspring.

Personalized Risk Assessment and Early Intervention at Sylvester

Dr. Patrizio thanked Bieber and THE PINK-O MOVEMENT for supporting Sylvester and bringing early detection, fertility preservation and survivorship to the forefront.

“Their commitment is what makes this movement so powerful and impactful,” said Dr. Patrizio. “Together, we are shaping a future where young women facing breast cancer are not defined by limitations, but by possibility, choice and hope.”

Noting that knowledge is power, Dr. Perez encouraged all women to talk to their doctor and learn their risk of breast cancer.

“It’s important to understand that your risk does not define you, but your actions do,” said Dr. Perez. “After determining a patient’s lifetime risk of breast cancer, we develop a personalized preventative care plan that may involve imaging studies with MRI, mammograms and ultrasound, as well as lifestyle changes, to decrease their risk. If cancer is detected, we can identify it at such an early stage that it is curable.”

Empowering the Next Generation Through Awareness and Advocacy

As a breast cancer survivor, Bieber believes it is her survivor’s privilege to advocate for the wellness of other women.

“I want everyone to know that Sylvester is there for them every step of the way, from risk assessment and possible diagnosis through treatment and survivorship, and PINK-O is proud to support these efforts,” said Bieber. “With THE PINK-O MOVEMENT, we are forging a future where younger patients don’t become a statistic and, if they are diagnosed, they not only survive but are empowered to live fully, physically, emotionally and generationally.”

Three hundred and ninety supporters attended PINK-O de MAYO, held at The Wisteria in Southwest Ranches April 10. The event raised more than $175,000 to support THE PINK-O MOVEMENT initiative and awareness campaign in collaboration with Sylvester.