With many different celebrations in October some people tend to forget about Breast Cancer Awareness. Breast Cancer Awareness started out as a week-long event run in 1985 by the American Cancer Society. This event was run for the purpose of spreading awareness and to support survivors around. In response to this, an Old Saybrook club also wants to spread awareness around the school and community. This club, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), will be celebrating by selling t-shirts to promote learning and awareness of this disease that hits so close to people’s homes. DECA advisor Mrs. Dailey said, ”Every DECA member had an opportunity to design a t-shirt design (60 members) in whatever way people would wear. After those were submitted, I narrowed down the designs that were submitted. For those students whose designs still remained had the opportunity to tweak it before they were finalized and then the club voted on the final design.” After the final design is picked, students are able to pre order this shirt for $20 through a google form and if there are any left, those would be sold the day of Pink Out which is on the 23rd of October. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation which leads to breast cancer research. Terri Brodeur was an Old Saybrook resident and holds importance to Old Saybrook; her battle with Breast Cancer inspires many and her foundation has contributed greatly to funding Breast Cancer research. This is the main goal for DECA to achieve but some secondary goals are to raise awareness and to unite in order to build a community. This Pink Out idea was made from a former student, Vince Bibisi, who wanted to make t-shirts for Homecoming but didn’t have the time to do so, instead implementing this idea for Breast Cancer Awareness. This act has now become a school wide celebration to raise awareness and fundraise for a great cause. When asked about her thoughts on this event continuing and why, Deca leader Azemina Cecunjanin informs that she thinks the Breast Cancer Pink Out will continue due to it being “A chance for DECA to give back to the community and donate to the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation.” Azemina also advises that students and staff participate because, “Participating in the Pink Out helps show the solidarity of students and teachers at OSHS with those who are currently or have fought cancer and more specifically raises awareness for Breast Cancer.”
