The Board of Visitors Care Card program has become Arizona's largest retail fundraising event, with 100% of the net proceeds raised through Care Card sales going to the selected beneficiary each year.
For 2023, the funds will benefit The Big Pink Bus, a mobile imaging unit offering state-of-the-art 3D mammograms to women across the Valley, especially those living in underserved communities who may face barriers to accessing this life-saving screening.
The Care Card promotion began Oct. 20 and goes through Sunday, Oct. 29. By purchasing a $60 eCard on the Care Card website, shoppers can enjoy a 20% discount for 10 days of shopping and dining while giving back to the local community.
Valley shoppers have the opportunity to shop, save and give by participating in The Board of Visitors Care Card program, being promoted by the Queen Creek Olive Mill Marketplace and other local merchants.
By purchasing a Care Card online for $60, shoppers receive a 20% discount at hundreds of local retailers and restaurants and this year’s nonprofit beneficiary, The Big Pink Bus, Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s new 3D Mobile Mammography unit will hit the road in January 2024.
The Big Pink Bus represents a significant step toward increasing access to life-saving breast cancer screenings, particularly for women in outlying and underserved communities. Mammograms have proven to reduce breast cancer deaths by 40%, making early detection essential to saving lives.
One-third of women with health insurance and more than two-thirds of those without health insurance do not get regular mammograms, often citing personal and professional obligations, the long distance to an imaging site or lack of transportation as reasons. The Big Pink Bus will be a fully outfitted coach that brings 3D mammography—the gold standard in screening—to women where they are. The 3D mammography offers greater accuracy, reducing false alarms, finding more cancers than conventional mammography and detecting invasive cancers sooner.
Women whose mammograms detect cancer will have access to Banner MD Anderson’s Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Program that leverages integrated care across several specialties, using the latest technologies, treatments and research. Additionally, throughout the cancer journey, patients are part of the Breast Cancer Navigation Program, where compassionate patient coordinators help guide them through the treatment process and ensure they are well-informed and supported.
“The staggering truth is that one in eight women will be affected by breast cancer. Since The Board of Visitors is the oldest women’s charitable organization in Arizona, and many of us have been personally affected by breast cancer or know those who have, The Big Pink Bus was a natural and fitting choice,” said Shannon Goldwater, who serves as chair of the 2023 Care Card program. “Buying a Care Card truly helps save lives and supports the generosity of our participating retailers, restaurants and sponsors. It is a win-win for our community and the 10 best days to shop and dine all year.”
Over the past 23 years, the Care Card has become Arizona’s largest retail fundraiser, generating nearly $4 million for local charities supporting health care for women, children and the elderly. Year after year, participating retailers have included popular national chain stores, locally owned boutiques, salons, fitness studios and restaurants. Click here for a full list of participating retailers.
Purchase a Care Card today by visiting thecarecard.org.
The Queen Creek Olive Mill is participating this year in the Care Card promotion only at its Queen Creek Olive Mill Marketplace, located in Kierland Commons at 7122 E. Greenway Parkway, Suite 120, in Scottsdale. This Kierland shop is a smaller boutique version of their flagship store in Queen Creek, where shoppers can find the same marketplace offerings as in the original Queen Creek Olive Mill location.
