By Amanda Tennant, staff writer
What does the color pink mean to you? For many people, it’s just anoth- er pigment on the color wheel with no significant meaning. However, for the Hawks at Indian Trail High School and Academy, the color pink is a lot more than just a color.
To the students, the color pink represents courage against one of the most prolific diseases that women in the United States face today, breast cancer. In this country, breast cancer is second only to lung cancer in cancer death rates among women. Currently, in 2014, a total of 2.8 million women have a history of breast cancer including those who are being treated and formerly treated. Throughout the country, these women, along with friends and family, are not only battling the disease physically, but financially as well.
Therefore, when a call for help was sent out by the Circle of Hope, a non- profit 501(c)3 organization that supports Kenosha women who are currently battling breast cancer with financial assistance, the Hawks stepped up and soared to the challenge. Throughout the week of Sept. 22 through Sept. 26, ITHS&A students have sponsored and participated in numerous fundraisers to help support the organization, such as selling T-shirts. However, that was not even the final degree of support.
On Friday, Sept. 26, the largest fundraiser yet happened. The Tackle Pink game, a football game that dedicates its profits towards the Circle of Hope, kicked off and students arrived in a sea of pink with a determination to defeat something much bigger than the rival high school football team. Throughout the game, activities such as raffles and games went on to help the fundraiser. Thanks to outstanding participation from students and families, a check of more than $8,000 was presented to the organization at the end of the night.
One in every eight women will sometime in her life face a battle with breast cancer, but they do not have to fight this battle alone. For these Hawks, these women are our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. Women in our com- munity with family, friends, and lives. As long as these women continue their battle, the color pink will continue to be more than just a color. It will symbol- ize the strength and courage of a community who will not be brought down by breast cancer.