“There’s nothing wrong with sharing. The more we keep inside, the more problems it causes.” — Reet Uppal, founder of the Reet Uppal Foundation, encouraging open conversations about breast cancer and women’s health.
The Reet Uppal Foundation hosted its Project Pink Warriors Breast Cancer Awareness Event on May 30, 2026, bringing together breast cancer survivors, physicians, community leaders, and families for a community program that combined the celebration of Vaisakhi with health education, survivor stories, and advocacy for early detection. Held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 22823 Dublin Way in Lake Barrington, the event sought to encourage open conversations about breast cancer and women’s health within the South Asian community while raising awareness about prevention, screening, and emotional support.
Founded by community advocate Reet Uppal, the registered nonprofit organized the event to address what organizers described as the continuing stigma surrounding breast cancer, mental health, and other health issues affecting South Asian women. The program featured medical experts, survivor testimonials, cultural performances, interactive activities, and fundraising efforts supporting the foundation’s awareness initiatives.
Opening the event, Uppal explained why she launched the initiative, pointing to the reluctance within many South Asian families to discuss women’s health issues openly.
“There’s nothing wrong with sharing,” Uppal said. “The more we keep inside, the more problems it causes.”
The event transformed the venue into a vibrant cultural gathering with traditional Punjabi cuisine, music, dance, and colorful décor, while simultaneously serving as a platform for education and advocacy. Fresh golgappe, kadhi chawal, chole bhature, chai, and other dishes were prepared by Reet Uppal’s mother, Manjeet Kaur, whose contributions organizers described as central to the day’s welcoming atmosphere.
Organizers also recognized volunteer Neena for helping coordinate the initiative and bringing the foundation’s vision for Project Pink Warriors to life.
The program was emceed by Surbhi Katoch, who linked Vaisakhi’s message of renewal with other Indian New Year festivals, including Poila Boishakh in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Vishu in Kerala, and Bohag Bihu in Assam, while drawing parallels with the journeys of cancer survivors.
“Cancer is not the end of the road,” Katoch told attendees. “There is life after cancer.”
One of the day’s featured speakers, oncologist Dr. Srilata Gundala, founder of Hope and Healing Cancer Services and Hope and Healing Clinical Research, highlighted disparities affecting South Asian women and stressed the importance of early diagnosis.
According to Gundala, breast cancer remains the most common cancer among South Asian women and is frequently diagnosed at younger ages and more advanced stages than in many other populations. She noted that when detected at Stage 1, survival rates reach approximately 99 percent, while encouraging women to undergo regular mammograms, understand their family history, and consider genetic testing for BRCA mutations.
Breast cancer survivor Azha Sayed delivered one of the event’s most personal addresses, reflecting on the emotional and physical challenges of treatment while encouraging women to seek support rather than suffer in silence.
“Cancer effed with the wrong woman,” Sayed said, using humor and resilience to describe her experience. She added that asking for help should never be viewed as a sign of weakness.
Additional healthcare professionals expanded the discussion beyond cancer treatment. Dr. Amrit Virk spoke about oral health complications associated with cancer therapy, while fitness and nutrition advocates Dr. Preeti Poindexter and Supreeta Kapur encouraged regular exercise and healthy eating as part of long-term wellness. Dr. Priyanka Sultania urged attendees to prioritize preventive screenings, noting that heart disease remains the leading cause of death among South Asian women.
The event also featured moving testimonies from breast cancer survivors. Rajie Modi spoke about living with fatigue, anxiety, and the long-term effects of treatment, while Lily Cheema reflected on balancing chemotherapy with raising her children. Community leader Jasbir Kaur Mann, founder of SWERA USA, shared her own cancer journey and commitment to supporting others facing similar diagnoses.
Each survivor was honored with a traditional phulkari dupatta presented by Manjeet Kaur and Naina Singh as a symbol of community support and resilience.
Cultural performances remained a central part of the celebration, with traditional Giddha, Fusion Giddha, and a Rabindra Nritya performance honoring Poila Boishakh reflecting India’s cultural diversity. Interactive games hosted by Hannah Singh and Sanya Bawa, along with music provided by DJ Chicago Prince (Rupesh Papneja), helped maintain the festive atmosphere throughout the afternoon.
A fundraising raffle featuring cash prizes, a Michael Kors handbag, and golf tickets supported the foundation’s awareness efforts, while local vendors offering food, fashion, and jewelry contributed to the community celebration.
Throughout the event, organizers reinforced the message that early detection, education, and community support remain essential in improving breast cancer outcomes, particularly in communities where conversations about women’s health often remain limited.
The program concluded with a renewed call for women to prioritize routine screenings, support one another openly, and continue breaking the stigma surrounding breast cancer through awareness and education.
