About one in eight women in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer, according to breastcancer.org. Since there are 1,019 girls that attend McLean High School, that would be equivalent to 130 girls at McLean having breast cancer. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, McLean hosted various events this October.
The freshman, junior varsity, and varsity volleyball teams devoted an entire night to raising awareness about the disease at the Dig Pink game on Oct. 16. They also had bake sales and sold Dig Pink T-shirts during lunches to help spread the message.
“It’s a really positive thing,” Principal Ellen Reilly said. “It makes it more comfortable to talk about and deal with.” Reilly has had family members that have been diagnosed with the disease.
“You have to take it in strides,” Reilly said. “We’ve come a long way since people have become aware.”
Every year, DECA invites Salon Michel at some point in the month of October to take part in a program called “Pink Hair for Hope” and on Oct. 15 and 18, stylists from Salon Michel came to school during all lunches to attach pink hair extensions for $10 each. The proceeds went to help with breast cancer research.
“Salon Michel got the idea to participate in this fundraiser four years ago,” said Jennifer North, manager of Salon Michel. “We were looking to get involved with charities as a team. When we saw that the hair extension company we do business with created Pink Hair for Hope, we were excited to jump on board.”
Over the course of the next three days, more pink hair started to show up in the hallways.
“I really loved the pink hair extensions,” junior Logan Boutcher said. “So many people asked me where to get them from; I even saw boys walking around with them.”
McLean students and faculty raised over $900 for breast cancer research in two days.
“Pink Hair for Hope is a great idea,” Technology and Engineering teacher Cara Mosley said. “I support DECA’s endeavors each year when it comes to this issue.”
View more pictures from the Dig Pink game and Salon Michel’s pink hair extensions:[print_gllr id=285]
