One in eight women receives a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. Millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer around the world, each year. To show support to those going through breast cancer, many people wear pink garments throughout the month of October, as a show of solidarity.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is usually represented by the pink ribbon, or by the color pink in general. The ribbon shows support for those who have survived breast cancer and those who are currently undergoing treatment.

At Bronx Science, students and staff are encouraged to wear pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to showing Breast Cancer Awareness inside of our school, our students show Breast Cancer Awareness outside of school as well. On October 15th, 2017, members of our school’s Key Club participated in the annual 5K Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park. This is one of the most important walks that Key Club participates in, with over a hundred students who attended this year.

Each October, an increasing number of Bronx Science students represent our school in the Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park. “The breast cancer walk is great as a means of raising awareness and encouraging those with breast cancer that there is a whole group of strangers out there who care about them,” said Valerie Dou ’19.” There are many people who participate in the walk who are either survivors or have family members who are affected themselves. These people hold up signs and banners in order to honor their families and friends.

“Everyone, whether they are directly affected by this issue or not, eagerly walks in order to raise awareness and combat breast cancer.” 

Besides completing the entire walk, the Bronx Science Key Club also raises money for the American Cancer Society. Key Club members and other walkers representing our school are asked to give donations to the ACS. The organization uses the money for breast cancer research, in addition to donating it to hospitals with breast cancer patients. This year, our school’s Key Club raised over $500 in funds for research and donations for hospitals.

“The funds that we donate go towards research for breast cancer cures, which help to decreases the risks of struggling patients. Everyone, whether they are directly affected by this issue or not, eagerly walks in order to raise awareness and combat breast cancer. All of the people participating in the Breast Cancer walk have a fervent spirit. Their general concern drives me to share the same passion as they do,” said Aaron Wu ’19.

Many Key Club members wish that these types of walks would occur more often than once a year. “From cheering on the participants to actually walking the entire walk ourselves, we are trying to help and give back to the community,” Wu said.