Susan Hassett thought that her two-year battle with breast cancer had been “wrapped up in a little box, with a big pink bow” hidden away in the back of her closet — until she realized that she needed to pay it forward.
It was this past spring, while on a business call that had turned to friendly chatter, that Hassett, 68, learned of a free, multi-faceted support service for breast cancer patients; a service she had been unaware of during her treatments, surgeries and recovery.
The Needham-based “Ellie Fund” was founded in 1995 by brothers Jeff and Eliot Popkin to honor their mother, Eleanor “Ellie” Popkin, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The organization offers rides to medical appointments, child-care reimbursements, prepared food home delivery, housekeeping services and an array of additional tailored services for breast cancer patients, both female and male, throughout the state, regardless of financial status or insurance coverage.
One in seven women is affected by breast cancer, and some without resources are forced to opt out of treatment, Hassett said.
“I had an amazing village,” Hassett reflected. “My family, and a husband who shopped and cooked for me every night, helping me get some food into my stomach. Friends who would say, ‘Hey John, I can take Susan to her chemo.’ But it dawned on me that there are others out there who do not have a village.”
Driven, along with a dedicated team of about 10 other women, many of whom have beaten breast cancer themselves, Hassett hit the pavement this summer for “Marblehead Turns Pink for Ellie.” The campaign aligns with October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
To date, 100 town businesses have committed to helping raise awareness for Ellie Fund starting in October by hanging posters in their store fronts, stringing pink lights and even offering pink cupcakes, said Hassett. While the pink team sees the first leg of the three-year campaign as an informational introduction, some businesses will be holding raffles, while others plan to donate a percentage of event proceeds during the kick-off.
While at her chemo treatment for breast cancer at MGH Danvers in the spring of 2024, Susannah Haesche, 41, learned of Ellie Fund.
“My oncologist asked if I’d like to speak to a social worker,” said Haesche.
Unsure if she’d benefit from such a meeting, Haesche said that she is grateful to have been offered it because it was through her talks with a social worker that she learned of the organization.
“It was most important to me that my children still have fun and go to summer camp to keep their lives as consistent as possible,” said Haesche, who has two young children. “Ellie Fund each month for three months helped cover the cost of those camps while I was at my treatments. That gave me peace of mind. I am fortunate in that I have all that I needed — my family, insurance — to get me through, but it can be isolating. Ellie Fund didn’t just provide practical support, but also emotional support. Receiving the gift cards reminded me that someone else is out there who saw me and cared. I was seen.”
Tickets will soon be available for the Friday, Oct. 3, advance screening of the award-winning movie, “Hello Beautiful” at the Warwick Cinema. The movie, which was filmed in a Marblehead home, is based on Christine Handy’s novel, “Walk Beside Me,” a story of a model who faced illness and triumph, said Donna Rice, a pink team volunteer.
On Saturday, Oct. 4, The Landing will have a special dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. and live music by True North at 8:30 p.m. Ten percent of all food and drink supports Ellie Fund. Reserve now: 781-639-1266 — and mention the Ellie Fund dinner.
Shoppers and visitors can stop by the Marblehead Turns Pink table at the Marblehead Farmer’s Market and Discover Marblehead’s Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The best approximation of existing female breast cancer cases in Massachusetts is 7,000 as provided by the American Cancer Society, said Danna Remen, director of strategic initiatives for Ellie Fund. In 2025, 7,240 new breast cancer cases are predicted, based on the state’s most recent confirmed registry data, said Remen.
Of the 14 state counties, Essex County has the second highest female breast cancer cases, with a count of 741, accounting for 12% of the statewide average, said Remen. Middlesex County tops the list with 1,407 cases.
Over the past decade, Ellie Fund has directly assisted 18 Marblehead women, said Remen. The organization stands ready to assist all women and men diagnosed with breast cancer for emotional and financial stabilizing services, she said.
Towns across Massachusetts have always stepped up for the Ellie Fund, both in raising awareness and in raising funds, said Kate Ward, director of development of Ellie Fund. Still, she is thankful for what Hassett and her pink team have accomplished in a few short months.
“Marblehead has taken it to a new level this year, mobilizing 100 local businesses in support of breast cancer awareness and Ellie Fund’s mission,” said Ward. “We are deeply grateful and absolutely thrilled by this extraordinary outpouring of generosity. Led by longtime resident Susan Hassett, the committee has worked tirelessly since July to galvanize the town, and they have done just that. Marblehead serves as a shining example for other communities to take inspiration from when creating their own October for Ellie campaigns.”
For more information on the town’s initiative, visit elliefund.org/marblehead-2025/. To learn more about Ellie Fund visit elliefund.org.
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Turn Marblehead Pink team members: Susan Hassett, Donna Rice, Debbie Powell, Francie Hill, Margaret Bacon, Marty Willis, Terrie Leake, Jansi Chandler, Noreen Rodgers, Kathi Kaligian and Amy Judd.
Here is a list of participating businesses: Banking/Legal: Pat Lausier, Attorney, Adam Moore-Leader Bank, Marblehead Bank, National Grand Bank. Beauty: Coastal Hair Care, Costello and Co., Dayle’s European Skin Care & Med Spa, Evolve Hair Salon, Lucky Nails. Boating/Design: Onboard Interiors & Hood Canvas. Business Services: Flat Rock Creative, Staples, Vinnin Sq. Candy: Stowaway Sweets. Clubs: Boston Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, Dolphin Yacht Club, Gerry 5, Marblehead Yacht Club, Tedesco Country Club. Dining: Blue Canoe, Evan’s Deli, 5 Corners Kitchen Restaurant, Maria’s Gourmet, The Barnacle Restaurant, The Beacon Restaurant, The Landing Restaurant, The Muffin Shop, Farine, Hooked Nutrition, Rip Tide. Entertainment: Warwick Movie Theater. Fitness: BTone Marblehead, FORM 01945, Lynch/Van Otterloo YMCA. Fundraising: Pies For A Purpose. Groceries: Crosby’s Marketplace, Shubie’s Marketplace. Health: Marblehead Dental, Marblehead Opticians, Step Ahead Physical Therapy, The Yoga Loft. Home Design: Tucker Architecture. Lodging: Harborlight Inn. Museum: Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen, Jeremiah Lee Mansion & Garden, Marblehead Historical Society, Marblehead Museum. Music: True North Band. Pets: Marblehead Animal Hospital, Marblehead Animal Shelter, Marblehead Mutts. Real Estate: Compass Real Estate, Glover Property Management, Inc. Retailers: Abbey Studio, All Chic At 152, Arbor, Bobbles and Lace, Bus Stop, C’est La Vie, Dragonfly Unique Curations, FL Woods, Flores Mantilla, French and Italian, Fringe Flora, Irresistibles, MacRae’s Sustainable Goods, Maison de Mer, Marblehead Knits, Marblehead Ace Hardware, Marblehead Cycle, Marblehead Garden Center, Marblehead Mercantile, Marblehead Outfitters, Mud Puddle Toys, O’Ramas, Papermoon, Ray Art, Sistas Consignment, Sweetwater & Company, The Happy Sunflower, The Spotted Hound, Wicked Ducks, Hestia Creations Inc, Hip Baby Gear, Hunt and Gather, Liberty Henry and Me, Liz Steinfeld Lingerie, Roses and Thistle. Retail/Design: Living Swell, Molly Booth Interiors, Step by Step Carpets and Interiors. Retail/Gallery: Arnould Gallery & Framery, Willie Shaker Gallery. Retail/Jewelry: Brooke Michele Designs Fine Jewelry, Daniel M. Jewelry, Marblehead Custom Jewelry. Retail/Pets: Worldly Pets, Pawsitively Marblehead.
