BENSALEM, PA — Parx Casino® has announced a $10,000 donation to Penn Medicine’s Basser Center for BRCA as part of its expanded commitment to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The contribution, tied to a series of October fundraising events, underscores both corporate philanthropy and a personal connection: Carrie Nork Minelli, the casino’s longtime Director of Advertising & Public Relations, tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation and underwent a preventative double mastectomy earlier this year.
The Basser Center, based at Penn Medicine, is the world’s first comprehensive facility dedicated to research, treatment, and prevention of BRCA-related cancers. Parx’s donation will be supported by promotions throughout October, including a Pink Lady cocktail fundraiser across all Parx bars and restaurants, the Spin for Strength event on October 3 with a special “Pink Mega Wheel,” and a mobile mammography clinic hosted on-site October 4. The van, Penn Medicine’s first mobile screening unit in Bucks County, will provide free walk-in mammograms for women aged 40 and older, regardless of insurance status.
“Through genetic testing, education, and ultimately surgery, I was able to take control of my future,” said Nork Minelli. “This not only let me take control of my life but gave me a new personal mission to spread awareness and encourage other women to get tested.”
Parx Casino Chief Marketing Officer Marc Oppenheimer described the initiatives as both personal and purposeful. “Carrie’s journey has been an inspiration to our entire team, and we are proud to stand with her and with countless others whose lives are impacted by BRCA-related cancers,” he said.
In a parallel initiative, Parx Casino® Shippensburg announced a $5,000 donation to the Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance following its Spin for Strength event on October 17. That contribution, also paired with Pink Lady cocktail sales, will fund local education, advocacy, and direct assistance programs for patients and families impacted by breast cancer.
The dual donations highlight Parx’s role as both an entertainment leader and a community partner. Executives at both locations underscored that these campaigns are not only about fundraising, but also about promoting early detection and access to critical resources.
With breast cancer still one of the most prevalent health threats for women, the combined $15,000 in support from Parx and its community-driven campaigns represents a tangible investment in awareness, prevention, and care across Pennsylvania.
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