By: Alyson Kelly
Breast cancer awareness has become a lofty goal of more and more institutions across the nation as the epidemic heightens throughout the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 186,467 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in the year 2005 alone. Far from merely being a national statistic to be recorded for posterity, this tragically high number of cases indicates that breast cancer can and does affect everyone. Increasing the awareness of breast cancer has proven to be the key to raising money for a cure for the disease, helping women around the world to recognize their symptoms, and to treat the cancer in its earliest stages. In addition to business corporations, medical research foundations, and the typical charity organizations, establishments of education have proven not to be immune to the giving spirit that entails helping those afflicted with the disease, and Johnstown High School has not been excluded from this admirable movement.
Taking the cue from the charitable attitude displayed by the volleyball team earlier in the school year, the JHS girl's basketball team, along with the opposing rival team Bishop McCort, decided to raise money to increase breast cancer awareness during a game earlier in the month. The Lady Trojans gathered donations for the breast cancer awareness fund from teachers, parents, and neighbors in the weeks leading up to the big game against McCort; around $600 was collected between the two schools. The JHS gym was decked out in pink paraphernalia, the color of breast cancer awareness, for the game, and the JHS girls sported pink warm-up shirts as well. Although the Lady Trojans gave a valiant effort during the game, their efforts came up short against McCort, losing 53-41.
Freshman member of the JHS girl's basketball team, Hannah Chilcot, raised about $50 of the total $600 for the breast cancer awareness fund by collecting donations from various teachers. Involved in the school's Key Club and also a member of the volleyball team, Hannah thoroughly feels that the money is going to a good cause, saying, "I felt really good about the whole thing, raising money for this disease that affects so many families in, but not limited to, Johnstown High School. It was a pleasure to be able to help in this way."
