October is recognized worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to The National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and is the second leading cause of death among women. Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer; more than 40,000 of these cases will be fatal. Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

The Williston Northampton School has done several things as a community and among athletic teams to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

One of the first groups on campus to get involved in the initiative was the Girls Varsity Field Hockey team. They raised money for the research project to find the cure for cancer by selling pink ‘play for the cure’ bracelets and raffle tickets at lunch on October 3^rd.

In addition, they held a bake sale on October 4th at the gym. Lastly, the girls had a ‘play 4 the cure game’ on Sawyer Field when the team dressed in pink jerseys and invited the entire Williston community to come out dressed in all the pink clothing they owned.

Maddy Jerolman ’15, captain of the team, said the day after the event in an all-school email, “We reached way over our goal and we are so thankful for that! You guys are awesome!”

The Girls Varsity Volleyball team also played a part in raising funds for cancer research. They sold a bright pink shirt designed by their coach Ms. Chambers, available for all students and faculty to purchase. The team invited the school to wear these shirts on October 24th at their game against Suffield Academy. They also had a bake sale to raise money for the cause.

Nationally, the American Cancer Society hosts multiple walks around the country during the month of October under the name “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.” This is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting more than 300 communities to finish the fight. Millions of people participate in teams or individually dressed in pink, donate, and others volunteer at the events. All the money made is used to fight the disease with research, information, services, and access to mammograms for women who need them.

Overall, it is evident that many people in the Williston community and globally are doing their part to fight against this life threatening disease by raising money for research and services for women who cannot afford it.