In 1999, the road between Frederick and Baltimore felt much longer than forty-five miles.
For Patty Hurwitz, then just 44 years old, that stretch of highway represented the distance between her life as a mother and her life as a cancer patient. At the time, Frederick lacked a comprehensive breast cancer program. Every surgery, every specialized treatment and every anxious follow-up meant leaving her support system behind and spending hours on the road—a grueling commute that pulled her away from the comforts of home during the most overwhelming season of her life.
Instead of accepting this as the status quo for future patients, Patty and her husband, Jeff, decided to build the bridge they wished they’d had. What began as a deeply personal trial would grow into one of Frederick’s most impactful grassroots health initiatives: The Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund.
A Diamond-Standard for Community Care
In the early years, the effort was intimate. Each October, the Hurwitz family transformed their store, Colonial Jewelers, into a hub of hope. They hosted Pink Ribbon Galas right inside the shop, where jewelry vendors would donate exquisite pieces to be auctioned off. It was a modest start, but the Frederick community noticed and they didn't just attend; they rallied.
What started as a family project quickly gained a momentum that surprised even its founders. "We started this because we wanted better breast cancer care in Frederick," Patty reflects. "We never imagined how far the community would carry it."
As the years passed, the mission outgrew the walls of Colonial Jewelers. A dedicated committee formed, partnerships blossomed and the Pink Ribbon brand became a staple of Frederick’s philanthropic identity. Today, that small gala has evolved into an elegant black-tie evening at Hood College’s Coblentz Hall, where guests gather under soft pink lights to celebrate the progress made in their own backyard.
Written by Hand, Run by Heart
About a decade into the fund’s journey, the Pink Ribbon 5K was born. Its debut was humble and started on a rainy morning that saw just 200 determined participants.
Today, that number has quadrupled, with nearly 800 runners and walkers gathering each year, primarily on the campus of Hood College, which has generously hosted the event for years. That partnership began early on, with Coach Brad Barber and his entire lacrosse team of 60 men showing up at 6 a.m. each race day to help bring the event to life—a tradition that continues to reflect the heart of the cause.
But the most moving moments of the race happen before racers move an inch. Each year, survivors are honored in a ceremony that culminates in the Survivor’s Walk—a visual testament of resilience. Along the route, hundreds of pink and white tribute flags flutter in the breeze, each one representing a life touched by breast cancer.
The night before the race, Patty Hurwitz personally sits down and writes every single name on those flags by hand.
“It’s emotional every year,” she says. “Each flag represents someone’s story.”
For Patty, the work isn't just about fundraising; it’s about the pink thread of connection. Over the years, she has spent time sitting with families while their loved ones are in surgery, offering the unique comfort that only someone who has walked the path can provide: “You can do it—I’m a survivor, too.”
The $4 Million Impact
The scale of the fund’s success is staggering, especially considering it is managed by a core group of fewer than ten volunteers. To date, more than $4 million has been raised and remarkably, every single dollar has stayed right here in Frederick.
This local focus has allowed Frederick Health’s Center for Breast Care to stay at the absolute forefront of innovation. Early funding brought digital mammography and advanced biopsy equipment to the city. Today, the fund is pushing into the future of precision medicine.
The impact includes:
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The fund supported a biobank for breast cancer research and a dedicated Research Nurse Navigator to guide patients through clinical trials.
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Frederick Health now hosts eight breast cancer clinical trials, offering cutting-edge treatments typically found only at major university hospitals.
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Funding helped introduce the Galleri blood test, a revolutionary tool that can detect cancer before it even appears on a traditional scan.
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A locally-developed clinical trial, funded entirely by the organization, is currently studying how yoga can prevent lymphedema after treatment.
A Legacy of Hope
The Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund continues to find creative new ways to engage and meet the needs of the community. This September 23rd, the streets of downtown will host the return of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, where hundreds of women will arrive in their black dresses and pearls for a "Holly Golightly" style bar crawl. It’s a joyful celebration of the sisterhood that often forms in the wake of a diagnosis and a town that shows up for each other.
From transformative corporate partnerships, like the $1 million raised by NVR Ryan Homes, to the single dollar dropped in a jar, the message is clear: Frederick shows up for its own.
Looking ahead, Patty’s dream is as clear as it was in 1999: to detect cancer earlier, treat it more effectively and one day, prevent it altogether. Until then, the work continues—one breakthrough, one fundraiser and one hand-written name at a time.
Because in Frederick, no one has to face the road alone.
By the Numbers
$4+ million raised for local breast cancer care
1,000+ local patients impacted annually
27 years serving the Frederick community
Upcoming Events
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
May 20, 2026
Pink Ribbon 5K
October 18, 2026
Pink Ribbon Gala
May 8, 2027
Website: pinkribbonfrederick.org
Facebook: PinkRibbonFrederick
Instagram: @pink.ribbon.frederick