Youth Against Cancer Organizes Most Successful Fundraiser So Far (VIDEO)

Only in its second year at Clarktown High School South the “Vikings Wear Pink” fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and research succeeded in several ways.  The Friday event, organized by the school’s Youth Against Cancer group, raised more than $4,000 through the sale of t-shirts, pink of course, wristbands and a bake sale.  That almost doubled last year’s effort.

Youth Against Cancer Co-advisors Brian Kiernan and Amanda Tombari said the event went unbelievably well.

“We had numbers in mind for how many kids would participate and actually exceeded those above and beyond what we thought we would do,” said Kiernan. “So we think it was a huge success for the school.”

Tombari and Kiernan, both teachers, explain that talking about the event encourages students to speak more frankly about cancer and request information.

“As we sell the t-shirts, they ask a lot of questions,” said Kiernan.  “It just gets them talking about it.”

Once the $10 t-shirts went on sale, students began lining up at their classroom doors to buy them.  The purpose of the event generates discussion in and out of classes.

“Kids do talk openly about it,” said Kiernan, an 11th and 12th U.S. History teacher.  “Everyone has their own story.”

12th grade economics teacher Tombari said one of her students whose mother passed away from cancer spoke about it in her class this year.

“It really creates a support group,” she said.

The two teachers took over as advisors for the group last year.  They said the idea for came from a student who recently graduated.  In a show of support for the program, students and staff gathered after the end of the school day in the gym for a group photo.  As they filed into the gym and found seats on the bleachers, Ilisa Willenbrink, a teaching assistant in the school’s TV studio, led them in a cheer, “Vikings Wear Pink.”

The group’s other major fundraiser is a dodge ball game between teachers.  This spring about 800 students showed up to watch the competition and cheer on the teachers.  The group’s members, who number between 20 and 25, help with selling the t-shirts and tickets, decorating and creating flyers to promote the events.  Planning began in August for “Vikings Wear Pink.”

The cancer awareness theme continued with “Pink Out” at the Vikings’ football game against R.C. Ketchem, which was originally scheduled for Friday night but was moved to Saturday afternoon.  Vikings players and cheerleaders wore pink shoelaces and many had on pink wristbands.  Many fans had on their “Vikings Wear Pink” t-shirts or other pink  clothing or accessories. 

The program’s proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, American Cancer Society and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Kiernan described the group’s plans for the future.

“We hope to make it an annual event, bigger each year,” he said.