Students and Teachers Participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Week
Navya Kaur and Megumi Kamikawa
Staff Writers
American High School held its own Breast Cancer Awareness Week (BCAW) from October 21st to the 26th, dedicating a week’s worth of memories and support towards the people suffering from breast cancer.
As part of the AHS community, ASB Vice President Abigail “Abbee” Kelati (11) and secretary Leigh Anne Tang (12) devoted their time towards honoring the victims of breast cancer. The two coordinators planned events that all students could take part in and express hope for victims stricken with cancer.
“We are trying to reach out to the entire community to raise awareness,” Kelati said. “Our nametags and large poster of messages dedicated to victims were to give hope to those affected by or suffering from cancer.”
It’s been a long standing tradition for people to wear pink as a way to support Breast Cancer Awareness, so many students at AHS sported pink outfits on Friday, October 25th.
“The entire volleyball team wore pink to help support the awareness,” Tang said. “We also charged the tickets an extra $1 to donate towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I think spreading awareness at school helps students realize that it’s really easy to make a difference.”
AHS also held the “Think Pink” event on Saturday, October 26th to support BCAW. It was a charity walk that donated proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Many students including Alexa Cano participated in the walk.
“I just wanted to support the people who are suffering,” sophomore Cano said. “Even if it is just by walking.”
These events were not limited to just the people within the school – the effort put into the program reached out to everyone in the community. Mr. Fulton, the ASB coordinator, took part in the event along with the students.
“This week was a completely student-driven idea,” Fulton said. “I really support it, not only because it’s good that we’re spreading awareness, but also because working for causes like this helps bring people together.”
Students and teachers at AHS weren’t solely focused on events on the school campus. The American Cancer Society (ACS) club, along with taking part in the school’s “Think Pink” week, have gone to extra events to donate to breast cancer.
“Our club went to the Making Strides charity walk for breast cancer last year,” ACS president Heema Patel (11) said. “I wish people understood more about how much spreading awareness can make a difference.”
Some students attending AHS have been affected emotionally by cancer. These personal experiences often influence students to become more active in awareness movements to help others going through similar situations.
“I want others to find a way or a cure so that we as a society do not lose more victims to breast cancer,” ACS secretary Srividhya Thirumalairajan (11) said. “My mom’s aunt had it, and we discovered that our family was more susceptible to cancer after she was diagnosed.”
Due to some of these personal experiences, people like Kelati have become motivated to help out those in need to prevent it for others.
“My uncle was diagnosed with cancer,” Kelati said. “Having a personal experience with someone who has cancer was definitely a big influence. It really inspired me to do what I could to try and help people out.”
American High School’s “Think Pink” event wrapped up the entire week and inspired students to participate.
“I think this week was extremely important – it helped raise funds for research, and just about anyone could help out,” Mr. Fulton said. “Spreading the knowledge about breast cancer encourages people to live a more healthy life and understand the benefits of protection and early screenings, so I made sure I was rockin’ some pink on Friday!”
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