Cheerleaders lead fight against breast cancer

L to r: Macy Taylor, Halley Ogan and Tiffany Heishman sell sweet, pink treats to customers at the bake sale during the volleyball game on Oct.13.

by Morgan Sanders

One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

This National Breast Cancer Awareness month, MHS cheerleading is filling the school with pink and raising Montezuma’s awareness. 

The   varsity cheerleaders brought their plan to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness month to Coach Debbie Iverson.

Iverson said, “I’m very impressed with all the cheerleaders and the way they accepted responsibility and took charge of putting it together.”

This is the first year cheerleading has done this kind of fundraiser.

Senior cheerleader Destiny Romberg said, “We wanted to do something to give back to the community. Breast cancer affects many, and we want to raise awareness and help find a cure.” 

Pink is the official color representing breast cancer, so the cheerleaders decided on the theme “Think Pink” for this year’s events.  

Around the school you can see multiple pink signs with breast cancer statistics, including one stating, “There are over  2 million breast cancer   survivors in the U.S. today.” 

JV cheerleaders sold pink shirts to the school and community for $15 each. The shirts featured a ribbon with the words think pink on the front and the quote “Supporting the fighters, admiring the survivors, honoring the taken and never giving up hope” on the back. 

All together the girls sold around 200 shirts, donating almost $1,200 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® foundation.

This foundation is one of the largest organizations for breast cancer awareness. Since beginning in 1982, the organization has donated  more than $1.9 billion.

On Thursday, October 13, the cheerleaders held a bake sale complete with pink cookies and pink rice crispy bars during the last home volleyball game against HLV. The volleyball girls were also given pink hair ribbons  at the beginning of the month to wear during games to show support for breast cancer. 

On Friday, Oct. 21, at the last home football game,   pink socks, pink shirts, pink sweatbands and pink balloons will cover the stands. The football boys will also be adorned in pink Nike® socks as they take the field to battle  Belle Plaine. 

At the game, the cheerleaders will be selling pink sweatbands and balloons. The balloons will be released at kickoff, filling the skies with pink. 

Throughout the game, the cheerleaders will also be selling some delicious pink cotton candy. 

Later on during half time, all cheerleaders from both teams will be walking through the stands with pink bags or buckets to collect donations from the crowd.

The fundraisers have raised more money than expected.

Iverson said, “I’d like to thank the community for backing us. They really jumped on board and helped make these events a success.”