Photos by Charisma at A Brew & You Headshots.
There is a special kind of magic that happens when a neighborhood unites for a cause, and at Ballantyne Country Club, that magic is driven entirely by your neighbors. This fall, the streets of BCC will once again be lined with vibrant pink bows, a visual testament to our community's solidarity in the fight against breast cancer.
Behind this effort is an incredible network of over 20 dedicated "street captains." This team relies on community dedication: many captains have been volunteering for years, some for over 10 years, while an enthusiastic group of new volunteers is joining in to ensure our continued impact. Jacque Farrell-Mulholland, Katy Bradfield, Jennifer Hohenberger and Allison Parker are just some of BCC's veteran street captains. They are joined on the cover of this month's Stroll issue by Robin Saddler, Payal Kothari, Carolyn Miller, Ceci Robinson, Jonina Chamberlain and Kim Edwards. Together, these neighbors are just a few of the true faces of the campaign. As summer transitions toward autumn, they are gearing up to connect with you, offering a simple way to make a difference: by placing a pink bow on your mailbox.
What started nearly 20 years ago right here in BCC has grown into a powerful movement. In those early days, the pink bows operated under "BCC Rally," a beloved neighborhood annual series of events dedicated to raising breast cancer funds. It was during those early Rally years that friends first tied a pink bow to a neighbor's mailbox to show solidarity during her battle with breast cancer. When BCC Rally dissolved in 2019 after raising over $2 million, the pink bows briefly became a part of Susan G. Komen Charlotte.
Recognizing the enduring power of this local symbol, Ballantyne resident Robin Saddler identified a greater need to directly support our local communities. In 2021, she established The Pink Bow Campaign, Inc. as an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to continuing the fight against breast cancer, honoring her mother, a 25-year breast cancer survivor. Today, the campaign covers an incredible 74 neighborhoods across Charlotte. Yet, no matter how large the organization grows, the heart of the campaign remains rooted right here in Ballantyne Country Club.
More Than Just a Decoration
To the passing driver, the bows are a beautiful neighborhood tradition. But to those impacted by the disease, they are a lifeline. Beyond offering emotional solidarity, the rows of pink serve as a vital visual reminder for the women in our community to schedule their annual screening mammograms.
This reminder is more critical than ever as the medical community experiences unprecedented progress in early breast cancer diagnosis. However, these medical breakthroughs can only save lives if women step forward to get screened, making the visual nudge of a pink bow a potentially life-saving catalyst.
Support Your Neighbors This Fall
Turning BCC pink is a true team sport, and this year our West and East street captains have new leaders: Payal Kothari and Carolyn Miller. Come late September, both women will be out in the neighborhood rallying their teams and spreading pink spirit. A friendly rivalry is already in the air. Will BCC West blush first, or will East take the crown in this year's pink-out?
Keep an eye on your newspaper slot for a flyer and please consider purchasing a bow from your street captain for your mailbox, or ordering extras for family, friends or local businesses. Your display reminds our community to prioritize life-saving screenings, helps fund local treatment support and brings genuine hope to patients navigating their diagnosis.
Please join us at the 2026 Pink Bow Campaign Kick-Off Event on Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Aloft Hotel Ballantyne! The event is free and open to everyone.
For more information, to volunteer as a street captain or to register for the kick-off event, contact Robin Saddler at robin@thepinkbowcampaign.org or 703-963-2644.
Your Donations at Work. Every bow ordered through The Pink Bow Campaign drives tangible, local change, funding four initiatives:
- The Go Jen Go Foundation: Easing financial and emotional burdens of a breast cancer diagnosis.
- MBC Travelers: Helping women with metastatic breast cancer experience bucket-list trips.
- Donate a Pink Bow: Partnering with Novant Health to deliver bows and hope directly to patients.
- Adopt a Neighborhood: Providing breast health education and resources to underserved communities.
This story appears in the August 2026 issue of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club. Read the full edition here.