Pelham Memorial High School’s Breast Cancer Awareness Club recently participated in the American Cancer Society’s Real Kids Wear Pink Campaign for the second consecutive year, successfully raising over $4,300. The BCAC boasts a club membership of 184 members and counting, and has raised the second largest amount of funds for the American Cancer Society in the Northeastern US. 

“My mom passed away from breast cancer five years ago,” said club co-president Maddy Finster, explaining the origin of the club. “Like many others in our school, I wanted to raise awareness for this horrible illness. With the help from Cristina, in eighth grade we started Pelham Goes Pink which then later turned into the PMHS Breast Cancer Awareness Club!” Finster is a junior at PMHS.

Back in October, the club hosted a sale of pink items at PMHS to kickstart their progress in the campaign, and hosted a ‘Pink Out’ at a Varsity Football game. They also partnered with the Pelham Chamber of Commerce to encourage local businesses to participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with many businesses giving donations and decorating with pink. Artistic Manor Floral decorated Wolfs Lane and Fifth Ave with pink balloons in support for breast cancer awareness. 

“Having the Chamber of Commerce work alongside us for this fundraiser was a big help,” Finster added. “Many businesses were kind enough to do some sort of ‘sale’ or make a donation towards our fundraiser. It felt great walking through town and seeing the pink balloons spread out. I’m really proud of the success that weekend brought to our club and to the businesses through our town!”

The club plans to do another ‘pink out’ sports game, this time at a Varsity Hockey game, with sweatshirts they recently designed and sold to students.

Donations can be made here. Find the PMHS Breast Cancer Awareness Club’s Instagram page at @pmhsbcac