The Pink Ribbon Society meets every Wednesday at lunch in the ASB room with the goal of raising money to support breast cancer research.
Club President Nikki Godwin said, “I started this club because breast cancer affects many people and nearly everyone is connected to someone who has it. I feel it is important to educate others, and support the cause in any way possible.”
Some club members have a personal connection to breast cancer. Vice President Junior Alyssa Castillo said, “This has significance to me because my grandma has breast cancer. I want to be able to explain to others how important it really is.”
Godwin said, “Our main goals for the club are to raise money to support breast cancer research and provide education on the importance of early detection.” According to a website about healthcare compassion, “The funds raised during this month contribute to groundbreaking research, innovative treatments, and improved diagnostic tools” (compassionhealthcare.org).
Castillo said, “Our main goal is to better people’s understanding of this topic. We want people to leave at the end of the day feeling like they were able to at least take away something from the club.”
“We mainly just want people to be able to use the information we give them, spread that to others around them, and use that to show how serious breast cancer really is,” said Castillo.
According to the American Cancer Society, “…if the 5-year relative survival rate for a specific stage of breast cancer is 90 percent, it means that women who have that cancer are, on average, about 90 percent as likely as women who don’t have that cancer to live for at least 5 years after being diagnosed” (cancer.org).
Godwin said, “We are having an awareness campaign from September 30 through October 31. On November 3, our overall goal was to attend and raise money for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. On October 12, we visited a cancer center where we dropped off letters, and we had a pink-themed bake sale. On October 14-18, we did a care package drive and will drop them off to St. Breast Cancer Awareness Center.”
Club Member Senior Taylor Cross said, “Being a part of this club is very important to me because my grandma, who is my best friend, survived breast cancer twice, and she’s one of the bravest people I know. I would love to help educate others about the topic.” Cross said that the club is about spreading awareness for all people so they can be more educated and help support the suffering of those who have survived breast cancer.
Godwin said, “Anyone at school who is interested in supporting a club that can have a huge impact on someone’s life can join the club.”