Former Yankee Tanyon Sturtze (l-r) and professional golfer Morgan Pressel joined founder Michelle Stallone at the 2026 Pinkball All-Star Dinner & Auction, at which Pressel’s breast cancer foundation was honored. Pressel lost her mother to cancer when she was 15. Photo provided
When Michelle Stallone moved from the Bronx to west Boca Raton in 1994, she brought two things with her: a lifelong devotion to the Yankees and a deep instinct to help people.
Working at the Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute as a breast imaging supervisor at Boca Raton Regional Hospital for 27 years, Stallone called women who needed follow-up visits after their mammograms.
She found that during the recession years of 2007-2008, many women were reluctant to come back for their follow-up visits because they had lost either their insurance or their jobs, or were worried how they could pay for mammogram screenings, MRIs, biopsies or further care.
When she learned some didn’t qualify for assistance programs because they earned slightly above the poverty threshold, she was moved to action.
“It didn’t sit right with me,” says the mother of two, who is related by marriage to the actor Sylvester Stallone. “I could be in this situation. I know what it’s like to not have employer insurance.”
That realization became the catalyst for Pinkball, the breast cancer charity she founded.
Inspired by Major League Baseball’s Mother’s Day pink‑out, Stallone, 56, organized an event with her son’s baseball team and in 2008, Pinkball’s first year, raised $2,100.
Why baseball?
“Everyone has a gala,” she says. “We wanted something that felt like us. It was so much fun and I knew we could build something bigger.”
Pinkball, with its mission to “Strike Out Breast Cancer,” has screened 3,300 women, identified 46 breast cancer cases, and built a safety net for the women Stallone calls “the middle.”
To date, Pinkball has raised $1.5 million, according to Shakira Sarquis-Kolber, director of the health and wellness institute.
“Michelle does not sit by idly for anything,” says Sarquis-Kolber. “She saw a need and dove right in.”
Sarquis-Kolber sees these services as having a generational impact. “When you save one woman’s life, think of all the other lives that are affected,” she says.
Stallone, she says, is “relentless” in her pursuit of helping others. “Her mission is to allow women to put themselves and their health first without feeling a financial burden.”
All Pinkball donations go into the hospital’s Go Pink Fund through the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation.
The nonprofit provides money for breast cancer screenings, diagnostic procedures and treatment — for uninsured and underinsured women — while also connecting them to providers at the hospital. The goal is to remove barriers to care so women can focus on their treatment, recovery and well-being.
Over the years, Pinkball has gotten help from some major league ballplayers, including former Yankees Jorge Posada, Johnny Damon, Tino Martinez and Tanyon Sturtze.
In a September fundraiser, people could buy tickets to a “Legends Suite” at Yankee Stadium with Roger Clemens and other players for a game.
And while the signature All-Star Dinner & Auction is not until February, this month Pinkball will hold several fundraising events, including a Boca Raton Little League Wear Pink, Play Pink Day on Oct. 3 and a “Pinkleball” Tournament at The Boca Raton on Oct. 7.
Pinkball now supports women across Palm Beach, Martin, Broward and Miami‑Dade counties, and has plans to expand throughout Florida and possibly another state as the organizers see a need.
“As it grows, opportunities present themselves,” says Stallone, who co-owns Stallone’s Italian Kitchen in Boca Raton with her husband, Bobby. “There are women in other places who need access, too.”
That passion is echoed by others in the community, including Carrie Rubin, who serves on the Boca Raton hospital foundation’s board and the hospital’s governing board.
She describes Stallone as “a force of nature” whose passion and unwavering commitment have made Pinkball more impactful each year.
For Rubin, some of the most powerful moments come from hearing directly from women in their 30s and 40s who had nowhere else to turn. “Without Michelle and her two MammoVans, these women wouldn’t have had access to care. She’s a spitfire — and she’s changing lives.
“When I think about Pinkball, I think about Michelle,” Rubin says. “She puts her heart and soul into it. Watching the charity grow is inspiring.”
For Stallone, the mission remains simple: Bring people together, break down barriers, and make sure no woman faces breast cancer alone.
She never imagined Pinkball would become what it is today — and even though she’s still in the early innings, she fully intends to win the game.
Jan Engoren writes about health and healthy living. Send column ideas to jengoren@hotmail.com.
Key events
Pinkball will host its signature All-Star Dinner & Auction on Saturday, Feb. 20, at The Club at Boca Pointe, and Pinkball Games on Feb. 21 at the South County Regional Park softball fields.
For more information and a complete list of events, visit bocapinkball.com.
Some events in October
All month — Sip, Savor & Support Pinkball at Matteo’s, 233 S. Federal Highway in downtown Boca Raton. Enjoy a specialty cocktail and support the cause.
Oct. 3 — Boca Raton Little League Wear Pink, Play Pink, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Boca Raton Little League teams up with Pinkball at Sugar Sand Park for a special day of baseball, community and support in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Highlights include a ceremony honoring survivors, screenings with the MammoVan, live music and giveaways.
Oct. 7 — Pinkleball Tournament at The Boca Raton, 6-8 p.m.
Grab your pickleball paddle and get ready to smash for a cause. Join in for a lively night of fun and friendly competition for players of every skill level.
Oct. 10 — Focus Functional Fitness x Pinkball, 9-10 a.m.
In honor of fighters, survivors and supporters, sweat hard and stand strong together. Join a special fitness class at 141 NW 20th St. to benefit Pinkball and support the fight against breast cancer.
Oct. 22 — Remix Pilates for Pink, 1 p.m.
Remix Pilates, 125 SE Mizner Blvd., is bringing the community together with a special class celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month to benefit Pinkball.
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