Pink Shoelace Campaign

the problem:

A typical conversation between high-school girls does not usually touch on the topic of Breast Cancer. We are either grossed out, or saddened by the memory of a friend or family member touched by this disease. However, high-school is exactly the time to learn about the dangers. This cancer affects more than 200 thousand people a year, with over 40 thousand fatalities. This staggering reality was the inspiration for my Breast Cancer foundation, the “Pink Shoelace Campaign.” Last October (2006), I became the Varsity Tennis Captain. After learning that my coach had battled and survived Breast Cancer, I started the Pink Shoelace Campaign at my school. During the month of October, my committee and I sold pink shoelaces and pink roses and gave out self-examination cards. The proceeds went directly toward funding a means of transportation for under-privileged women to attend their treatment. This year my campaign has continued; our outreach has spread from Mount de Sales to six other all-girl Catholic schools in the Baltimore area. This attracted the attention of multiple newspapers and news stations, including ABC 2 News. Our message has reached levels I had never imagined. Last year we raised over $2,200 selling pink shoelaces and pink roses, but I realized it was not about the money. Every woman deserves the chance to fight this disease, which includes not only the hope of success, but also the means to attain it.

vital stats:

people impacted:

people involved: