It’s expensive to have cancer.
According to the American Cancer Research Association, the average cancer patient spends more than $150,000 in the course of treatment. A recent study found that the cost of cancer treatment in the US would exceed $245 billion by 2030.
So, all three cancer survivors with talent for fashion decided to do something about it. They will start Cancer Cartel, which resells high-end clothing brands and donates 100% of their revenue to people fighting cancer. In just a few weeks, they are bringing fundraisers to Coronado.
“Even if you have insurance, so many people are struggling to get through their days,” says Coronado resident Shelley Tinney, a cancer survivor and founder of the Cancer Cartel. Miller said. “You still have to pay for parking, groceries and childcare. People are seeing bills piled up while they are trying to deal with cancer and put food on the table. That’s what I’m saying.”
Tinney-Miller, diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, saw her sister Katy Tinney being treated for stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Both women successfully completed the treatment, but were shocked by the unexpected stress of the financial burden.
They knew they had to do something to help. In 2019, the sisters joined forces with another cancer survivor, Kelly Solmonsen, and began to quickly raise funds in the best way, how they know, by digging in. . In other words, deep inside their closet.
“My sister and I love shopping. We were really drunk in the meantime,” said Tiny Miller. “What if we resell clothes and 100% of our revenues are sent to people fighting cancer? That’s how it started with our own clothes, and we’ve got used clothes. I bought it and resell it on eBay.”
And then the cancer cartel was born. The woman was soon able to start handing out visa gift cards at the hospital she was treated in Seattle. They formed connections with real housewife cast members who cleaned their closets and donated their clothes. Covid then hit. It was a blessing of disguise, says Tinney Miller.
“How we pass the money and boom… we developed our website and started calling on Zoom, sparing the recipients,” she said.
Their new online presence has led them to expand their reach. They became a national nonprofit with ambassadors from Boston to Los Angeles, from Dallas to New York City. Now they can send checks to cancer patients across the country.
Last year alone, they helped over 690 cancer patients. And they are on track to give a million dollar donations.
“When you tell them you’re giving Zoom checks, you know the response…it’s something you can see,” Tinney-Miller said. “Their shoulders just fall in peace. Some of them cry. But it’s more than money. They’re connected with other people who encourage them to continue fighting.”
Cancer Cartel hosts Polo Tournaments, Golf Tournaments, Pickleball Playoffs and even Cancer Walks, but according to Tinney-Miller, fashion is always the cornerstone of an organization. The nonprofit has developed relationships with high-end resellers like real real designers and fashion designers, such as ALC, who are affiliated with clothing brands that debuted on Paris Fashion Week.
Last October, the Cancer Cartel gave a day’s gift at 14 local shops, from blue jeans and bikini to fair trade decor, from Coronado Hat Company to sweet soles.
Now, the cancer cartel is launching its first ever coronado “Funding Fashion,” a high-end resale shopping event. It’s all happening on Thursday, February 20th at Coronado residences from 3pm to 7pm.
The unique event features fantastic fashion discoveries, bubbles, small bites and beats from local DJ Tricia Lynn. 100% of those raised are sent directly to troubled cancer warriors. The party was hosted by locals Tiny Miller, Tracy Real, Marilyn Chriser, Megan Palma, Tania Swasbrook, Andrea Trujiro, Sara Ali, Salma Ali, Jen Farry and Katiana Zimenez. Masu. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25.
The cancer cartel previously gained support from heavy hitters like Ellen DeGeneres and the Gates Foundation, but the organization needs the help of locals in Coronado. They are looking for high-end clothing and accessories donations to resell to events, from Louis Vuitton to Golden Goose, from Veronica Beard to Aviator Nation. Items will be dropped down to one of several locations listed in the link.
Event host Jen Farley said: “It’s inspiring to give back to an organization that puts your money directly into the hands of those who need it right away…and in a very enjoyable way!”
The design is fun. Cancer is a serious subject, but according to Tinney Miller, the fight to help cancer patients should be a joy. And then there’s the name, the cancer cartel. Tinney-Miller says he took two words with negative connotations and turned them into something positive and powerful.
“We know that cancer sucks, and we deal with it every day,” she said. “But we want to bring hope and light, and we want to have fun fundraising. That’s the great thing about our event…people are always having a good time.”
For local Katiana Zimenez, the opportunity to work with the cancer cartel is meaningful and exciting.
“Their personal experience as survivors makes them more approachable and influential, and they really understand the challenges on a deeper level,” she said. “Providing financial relief helps people focus on their health and their families. I’m really touched by their empathy and how they change their lives.”
The cancer cartel currently accepts around 100 applicants a month and hopes to accept more, raising the donation amount from $500 to $1,000 per patient. Currently, patients can reapply annually as long as they are receiving active treatment.
“The most difficult thing is that the needs are really great,” Tinney Miller said. “We want to help more people.”
For more information about cancer cartels, please visit the cancercartel.org website.
