“I don't want them to think they're forgotten.”  That’s why seventh grader Gianna says she joined with her Stimson classmates for the school’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on October 27th - to show people and families affected by breast cancer that there are lots of people who support them.

 

The middle school inaugurated the event last year as part of its renewed focus on getting students more involved in civic engagement and helping their community.  After the enthusiastic turnout last October, which raised more than $500, Stimson principal Michael Duggan knew he wanted to make the fundraiser an annual event during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  “Our families were thankful to recognize not just, you know, the bigger umbrella of cancer awareness, but of young people being a part of a civic duty, of showing that they care about the things happening around them. The kids obviously are interested in giving back and some people forget about that. They feel like they're doing something bigger than themselves,” said Mr. Duggan.

 

The walk took place at Stimson right after school, starting on the outdoor basketball court.  Wearing lots of pink, students teamed up with teachers to walk the perimeter of the entire back field TWICE before finishing back at the basketball court.  It was a $5 donation to walk.  Participants were also able to display a special certificate with the name of a person they were walking in support of. 

 

While some students were walking for a loved one, many were just taking part to show their support for others, like seventh grader Henri.  “I think doing these little things like walking around or raising money is a really good idea and it just really makes my heart beat with joy,” said Henri.  Walking was also a way for students to add to their community service hours for things like Junior Honor Society.  

 

This year’s walk was another success, raising $935, nearly double the amount that was raised last year.  The money is being donated to Stand Up For Suzanne, a local non-profit founded in memory of Huntington resident Suzanne Sokolowski-Shea who passed away from metastatic breast cancer.  Their funding supports breast cancer research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

 

And while the topic of breast cancer might be difficult to address with 12 and 13 year olds, principal Duggan believes it’s important to have these conversations.  “You take it from a place of giving back to your community because [cancer] is something that impacts so many people,” said Duggan. “So everyone has a story. Even a 12-year-old, when we start talking about this, they talk about their mom, their grandmother, their uncle. They have a connection to this. Maybe they don't fully understand it yet, but at least they can look back on this time and say, ‘oh, I did something for that.’”

 

Thanks to everyone for your hard work and participation!  Whether through donations, walks, or wear-pink days, you make a meaningful difference in the fight against breast cancer.  Your encouragement helps support research and treatment, provides resources for patients and their families, raises awareness for practices like early detection, and builds a compassionate community to offer comfort to those affected by this disease. 

 

 

 

Stimson students helped collect donations.

 

 

(right) Principal Michael Duggan, Assistant Principals Thomas DeMartinis, Elizabeth Keating, James Tomeo

 

Students stood together in pink for the annual event. 

 

 

Walkers, including students, teachers, and administrators, walked the perimeter of the middle school property.
 

 

A perfect sunny day to walk together for a good cause!

 

While some students were walking for a loved one, many were just taking part to show their support for others.

 

Thank you to everyone who came out and donated for this special event!