Students Take a Stand Against Breast Cancer

Massapequa ninth graders marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October by doing their part to fight back against a disease that affects millions of people every year.

Representatives from the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education visited health classes at the Massapequa High School Ames Campus on Oct. 26 and 27. They shared statistics about breast cancer, discussed the importance of regular health screenings and shared ways to reduce their cancer risk. Using silicon models with different lumps inside, students learned how to do a self-exam.

Health education chairperson Denise Baldinger said that students also made hundreds of posters with facts about breast cancer that were hung throughout the hallways. Many of the poster featured the symbol most commonly associated with breast cancer awareness – the pink ribbon.

The ninth grade student council raised money with its sticker fundraiser. Class officers and students from the Studio in Art class designed breast cancer awareness stickers that were sold during lunch periods the week of Oct. 24-28.

Art teacher and student government adviser Antoinette Kearney said that students created seven different sticker designs using Procreate on iPads. Throughout the week, they sold more than 100 stickers, with proceeds going to the Suzanne M. Scanio Foundation, in honor of a former Massapequa teachers who died from breast cancer.

“I think it’s important because lots of women, and even men, get breast cancer,” class President Kyra M. said. “This is hard not just for them person who has cancer, but also for their family members.”

Kyra said this is personal to her as close family members have survived breast cancer. The sticker sale, she added, was the student government’s way of recognizing the strength and bravery of people fighting cancer.

Throughout October, Massapequa schools also hosted Think Pink days. Students and staff wore pink attire to raise awareness.