In October, Lancers wear pink. From head to toe, students deck themselves out in pink for various events that take place in the community for breast cancer awareness.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this time, people show their support for those who are currently fighting, survived or lost their fight to breast cancer. This is done through events and campaigns, many of which raise money for cancer research.
Linganore High School (LHS) takes pride in the support they foster for this cause, as members of their own community have been affected by this cancer.
Throughout the month, the Student Government Association (SGA) has sponsored multiple spirit days, including “on Wednesdays we wear pink,” named after the quote from the popular film “Mean Girls.” Every Wednesday of October, students and teachers are invited to honor those who have fought against breast cancer with their fashion.
In addition to spirit days, there have been multiple after school events which students have attended to show their support.
On October 9, Linganore’s volleyball team hosted Dig Pink. The players of both the junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams all sported pink uniforms and ribbons. Fans showed up to support and were invited to donate to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation through QR codes, raffles and auctions.
“Breast cancer is something that affects everyone, no matter what community you’re from,” LHS senior Juliette Soisson said. “You always have to show your support and be able to do your part to show awareness for something that is so big and common.”
Students also did their part at the Linganore varsity football game on October 17. The whole student section was filled with pink clothes and face paint for the cause.
On October 19, students joined the “Lancers Against Cancer Team” for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Watkins Park in Mount Airy and joined the crowd of pink.
This is a non-competitive walk hosted by the American Cancer Society to support communities of people battling breast cancer, survivors, caregivers and families of these people. They are split into local chapters, Central Maryland’s being local to LHS.
“There were a lot of people from Linganore that came out,” Soisson, who was part of the team, said. “We had a great time supporting the people who are fighting it, who have lost, and who have won their battles.”
In addition to the walk around Mount Airy itself, survivors got to share their stories to the attendees. There was a tent where these survivors, as well as those still fighting, got sashes to honor their strength through their experiences.
“People came out to show their support, and everyone coming together showed that we are stronger than breast cancer,” Linganore freshman Chloe DiFabio said.
One final community project to close out the month is the New Market STRONG 5K Fighter Run/Walk & Festival, which takes place on October 26.
This event was created in honor of Karen Durbin, a long-term New Market town clerk, who lost her battle in 2020. All of the proceeds go straight to the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund, a local nonprofit in Frederick, Maryland.
If one is interested in showing their support, they can register for the race here.
