Walking down the halls the last few weeks, you most likely noticed a good number of students in pink shirts, Dig Pink fliers hung up on the walls, and girls with pink extensions in their hair. Why so much pink? October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
On October 16, hundreds of people strode down the boardwalk at Jones Beach for the annual Breast Cancer Walk. Each year, the American Cancer Society hosts this event to raise awareness and receive donations for breast cancer research.
In the chilly autumn air walkers bundled up and hiked for the cause. A blanket of pink covered the boardwalk. People sported shirts with names of groups, organizations, loved ones who were lost, and often, “survivor,” was seen.
As usual, many groups were chanting and cheering while beating on drums and waving pink streamers in the air. Some people even arrived in full-body pink gorilla suits. But no matter what outfit they were wearing, they were all there for the same purpose – to show awareness by those truly affected by the color pink.
From MHS, JV field hockey, Varsity Swimming and Diving, and a number of teachers came to participate. Clad in gear – and pink, of course – they showed their Chiefs spirit while supporting breast cancer awareness.
“I thought it was great that so many people were able to get together to fight breast cancer,” senior Melissa Murphy, who attended the walk, said. “There were so many people there, which is great because it means that more and more people are joining the fight.”
The walk was a huge success. This year, the Jones Beach walk had the highest number of participants of any breast cancer walk in the country, and raised 2.9 million dollars, according to Newsday.
Sometimes running is not the only way to overcome the fight. After all, walking can go a long way.