Pink Ribbon Club, a club dedicated to unite teenagers in the fight against breast cancer, is back at SJHHS and made tremendous strides through the month of October.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Pink Ribbon Club was club of the month. Club members worked throughout the summer and the month of September to ensure that large sums of money would be raised throughout the month of October.

Their hard work paid off.

In the month of October, SJHHS held its annual “Pink Out” volleyball and football games. The student body was encouraged to wear pink, and Pink Ribbon Club raised money for breast cancer research.

“Pink Ribbon Club raised over $330 that we will be donating to the Susan G. Komen Foundation,” said Madeline Blomdahl (12), the club President.

“Pink Ribbon Club has such a huge impact on our community. It is so easy it is to make a difference in peoples’ lives by taking action and giving back,” said Alana Durham (12), a dedicated club member.

“My favorite part about Pink Ribbon Club is the fundraising aspect. Each penny we get makes me excited because I know it is going to a great cause,” said Danielle Didier (12), the Vice President of the club.

Didier was inspired to join Pink Ribbon Club by her mother who battled against breast cancer for ten years.

“I have been an active member of the club all four years of high school in order to support people from SJHHS who have been exposed to cancer’s negative influence,” said Didier.

All students should become acquainted with the movement for breast cancer awareness. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime as breast cancer remains the second leading cause of death among women. Although breast cancer in men is rare, men are not entirely safe from this horrific disease either. Over 400 men die from breast cancer each year.

“What inspired me to be a part of Pink Ribbon Club is the men that suffer from this disease. Not a lot of people know that it is possible for men to get breast cancer so I think it is very beneficial to have both sexes represented in Pink Ribbon Club so that we can spread awareness for not only women; but for men as well,” said Cole Henriksen (12), the Treasurer of the club.

Breast cancer has touched the lives of many SJHHS students in one way or another, which is why this club’s mission statement resonates with so many members of the student body. At club rush, Pink Ribbon Club received over 100 new club member sign ups.

“I think the reason that so many students joined our club this year is because of the way people feel by being a part of something larger than themselves and doing something meaningful with their time. It is a gratifying experience because breast cancer is one of those things that hits home for a lot of people,” said Blomdahl.

The members of Pink Ribbon Club are dedicated to include the SJHHS student body in the fight against breast cancer throughout the entire school year. Breast cancer does not go away after the month of October, so it is important that the club does not lose momentum either.

This year, the club hopes to spread its influence beyond campus.

“Our goal is to raise enough funds throughout this school year in order to participate in our first annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in the spring,” said Blomdahl.

Pink Ribbon Club meets in Mr. Lynde’s room (H104).