Breast Cancer Awareness Month was started in October of 1985 by the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries. The campaign was founded in hopes to educate and raise awareness to not only women, but to everyone about the importance of breast cancer detection tests. Since then, it has expanded to also help raise money to fund research into the disease’s causes, treatments and possible cures. Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as time to remember and honor those who have been lost and celebrate those who have survived.
Since female breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, as reported by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, it is extremely important to raise awareness for younger generations to hopefully inspire more research and increase the amount of early detection in females. High schools across the nation help raise awareness by fundraising events and informing students about the importance of early detection.
Spartanburg High School actively participates in a “Think Pink Week” every October. SHS uses their decades-long rivalry against Dorman High School to raise awareness about breast cancer on a school-wide and community scale. The week leading up to the big game, student council sponsors dress up days, with Friday being the big “Pink Out,” to promote breast cancer awareness. For years, the SHS student council has designed and sold “Think Pink, beat Dorman” t-shirts and bracelets, raising money to fund female breast cancer research and treatment.
Zion Littlejohn is the senior class president and is thoroughly involved in the organization of “Think Pink Week.”
“Think Pink is the week of the Dorman football game, and we celebrate that whole week. Student council sets up dress up days getting ready for our big rivalry. We raise money with the beat Dorman shirts, and we have the student body buy them. All proceeds go to breast cancer awareness,” Littlejohn said.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is not only important for preventative reasons, but it also inspires and gives women who are currently fighting the disease hope for a brighter future.
Erin Couchell is a former Viking and member of Spartanburg’s local business community. In April of 2023, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer when what she believed would be a routine screening turned into something much more.
“I never thought much of breast cancer until April 20, 2023. I was sad, shocked and angry – and worried mostly for my three daughters and husband. Our lives were turned upside down immediately with surgeries, doctor’s appointments and now chemotherapy. I will soon begin radiation. Our family learned the importance of patience, faith and gratitude for the overwhelming love and support from our family, friends and church community,” Couchell said. “I’ve learned so much since my diagnosis, and I hope that I can give back to other women in their time of need. I had no idea of how many women were experiencing this diagnosis. The chance of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer in her life is about 13%. That was an eye-opening statistic, and my hope is a cure will be found soon.”
While Breast Cancer Awareness Month does focus mainly on the women who have or are currently fighting disease, it is also important to be aware of the men who are fighting it too. According to the American Cancer Society, “For men, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 833.” In 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden designated October 17 to October 23 as Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week to promote more cognizance about breast cancer in men.
“Think Pink Week” also serves as a time for family members of people that have battled cancer to celebrate or remember their loved ones. Many shows small signs of support by painting nails pink or wearing a pink clothing item.
Shimon Smith (12) feels strongly about the importance of breast cancer awareness month, and he shows his support by dying his hair pink in October.
“My mom beat cancer two years ago, so “Think Pink Week” is very important to me,” Smith said.
Though Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings about fun activities like dress up days and bake sales, it is important to be aware of the true meaning of the month. It is also important to remember that breast cancer does not only exist in the month of October, and it is of the foremost importance that people use the knowledge gained during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and use it to continue to spread awareness all year.
“We celebrate and honor breast cancer survivors and those who’ve passed away in October, but with statistics like the ones I shared previously, I believe we as women should demand a light be shone more often than one month out of a year,” Couchell said.
