This October, the Mills community came together to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, honoring and remembering those impacted by the disease. In 2024, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,790 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. This disease not only affects individuals with breast cancer, but the families as well. The very first Breast Cancer Awareness month began in October 1985, promoting early detection and research.
Since then, communities have been coming together to honor and raise awareness for the disease. This month, the Mills community hosted many events. From the “Dig Pink” volleyball event on October 16th, where 70% of proceeds supported breast cancer research, to Leadership’s spirit week dedicated to the cause, students and staff showed their support in meaningful ways.
This month, the girls volleyball teams continued the tradition of honoring breast cancer awareness and those affected by it. On October 16, the team hosted a “Dig Pink” event, wearing bright pink shirts before the game and tying pink strings in their hair. The program has been participating in their annual “Pink Out” for numerous seasons. Many spectators stopped by the tables and showed support, buying shirts and bandanas, with 70% of the proceeds going to breast cancer research. When asked about her thoughts on the event Pari Xiao (10), a player on the girls varsity volleyball team shared, “I don’t want Breast Cancer Awareness to just be thought of in one game, and I think it should be thought of the whole month.” The program hosted such an amazing event filled with strong school support. It’s amazing to see the Mills community come together to advocate for such an important cause. Xiao continued saying, “It was really fun seeing everything decorated in pink and having us be able to play and host an event for such an important cause was an honor.”
Furthermore, Mills Leadership hosted a spirit week from October 6 to October 10, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each spirit day was followed by an activity done in center court. The week started with having the Mills community wear pajamas and making pink potions at lunch. Towards the end of the week, Leadership had students write meaningful cards to patients with breast cancer in center court. When asked her thoughts on the spirit week hosted in support of breast cancer, Camilla Moran (12) replied, “It was pretty cool wearing pink. I just wish there was more information [about] what was going on.” Each lunch, many students dropped by center court to participate in each event Leadership had going on, from tattoos to personal cards for patients. When asked about possibly having Leadership create a fundraiser to add to the spirit week next year Moran suggested, “ I think that they should do that because then money goes to the correct funding and it will help bring more student support.”
Together, these events hosted by the many different programs here at Mills showcased the compassion and unity within the Vikings community, reminding everyone of the importance of continued awareness and support. With the closing of October, Mills stands proud in its commitment to continue honoring those affected by and raising awareness for breast cancer.
