School District Five high school holds “Pink Out” for breast cancer awareness

Chapin, SC - October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Spring Hill High School organized a “Pink Out” week to show support and raise funds for breast cancer research and mammography services.

Spring Hill High School’s DECA club sold t-shirts, bandannas, lemonade, cookies, candy and reached out to the community for donations during the week leading up to their “Pink Out” on October 18, where students wore pink to show their support for breast cancer patients and survivors.

“DECA is a student-run organization and this fundraiser is just one of the fundraisers the students organize each year,” said Spring Hill High School teacher Sherry Stone. “I think it is so important for the students to learn what it means to have breast cancer and bring awareness to the disease. I am always overwhelmed and amazed by what these kids do each year. They work so hard and set goals for themselves. They never cease to amaze me!”

In total, students raised $3,000 for the Lexington Medical Center Foundation’s Campaign for Clarity through the Crystal Smith Breast Cancer Fund. The money will help provide life-saving 3-D mammography technology to all Lexington Medical Center patients.

The school held a special assembly to help educate students about the disease. The special guest speaker was Jennifer Hodges, a breast cancer survivor. The mother of 3 was diagnosed a year ago at the age of 41.

“I went in for a mammogram every year,” Hodges told the students. “Last year was the first year I had a 3-D mammogram. The 3-D mammogram was able to detect a tumor that was the size of my pinkie fingernail. The tumor was so small that I was told it would have been another 6-12 months before it would have been large enough to be detected either by being felt or by 2-D mammography. The 3-D mammography completely gave me a different prognosis. I am completely fine today!”

Her message resonated with the students in the assembly who cheered loudly as the check was presented to representatives from the Lexington Medical Center Foundation.

DECA President and senior Leah Snead added, “All the students were very touched to hear Mrs. Hodges’ story and how the money they donated is going to change people’s lives and make a difference in the world.”

Learn more about Lexington Medical Center Foundation’s Campaign for Clarity by clicking https://www.lexmed.com/giving/foundation/campaign-for-clarity.