For three years, the basketball teams at Confluence Preparatory Academy have dedicated a home game to raise awareness of breast cancer. The annual Pink Out games have led to donations to Komen Missouri and American Cancer Society to help women in the St. Louis region. In the first two years, the Titans raised $400 at each Pink Out game to share between the organizations.
This year, the Titans stepped up their efforts and set a goal to raise $1,000. Through dress down days for students and staff, support from student government, ticket sales and a donation box on game night, the Titans met their goal. Now, both Komen Missouri and American Cancer Society will receive $500 in support of breast cancer awareness and advocacy.
What is the value of $500?
For Komen, it means five mammograms for women who otherwise may not get the screening for breast cancer. Or, it covers the cost of 15 lymphedema compression sleeves. Lymphedema is a condition that can be caused by a result of cancer or cancer treatments. A donation of $500 can pay for 20 gas cards to help provide transportation to medical appointments, which lifts a barrier to getting treatment. Or, it can help toward the cost of a nurse navigator who guides breast cancer patients through the continuum of care.
“The possibilities are endless,” said Helen Chesnut, executive director, Susan G. Komen Missouri.
For the American Cancer Society, a donation of $500 helps a breast cancer patient and a caregiver with five nights of free lodging at a Hope Lodge® community. Some patients have to leave home for effective treatment, and the lodge provides a place to stay. The donation can help provide one-on-one support from a trained volunteer breast cancer survivor, or it can help with research for a participant in a cancer prevention study.
“We are so thankful for the donation from Confluence Preparatory Academy. Donations and awareness efforts such as these are helping the Society save lives, celebrate lives and lead the fight for a world without cancer,” said Christine Winter, director, division communication, American Cancer Society.