Bloom High School Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Less than two weeks ago, the halls of Bloom High School were full of pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Every October for the past eight years, Bloom staff has donated money to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in exchange for permission to break the school's dress code and wear jeans for a day. This year, the big day was Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Staff members aren't the only Trojans allowed to participate in "Pink Day." The event has been such a success the student council turned it into one of Bloom's homecoming spirit days, with more than 90 percent of the students taking part. 

Some Bloom staff members are taking a few extra steps to support breast cancer awareness. For example, health and physical education teacher Amy Stockwell will be participating the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk in San Diego this November.

Stockwell said guidance counselor Elizabeth Fushi-Peterson, who is the daughter of a 24-year cancer survivor, played a major role in Pink Day every year. In fact, Fushi-Peterson and the staff at Bloom took an active role in supporting Stockwell's walk. 

"On our Bloom Pink Day, Liz and the rest of the staff presented me with a blank check," Stockwell said. "All of the money raised is going to my 3-Day walk. We reached our goal because of the dedication and support of Liz Fushi and the staff at Bloom High school."

Bloom has raised nearly $10,000 for the Komen foundation over the past eight years. Last year the school split the donations between Komen and the Homewood Cancer Support Center. Bloom Trail High School is also donating to the Komen, making it a district wide effort.

Fushi-Peterson, Stockwell and several student council members also took part in the Cancer Walk of Hope in Homewood on Oct. 7.

In addition to Pink Day, Bloom Township's girls volleyball team came together with Rich South on Thursday Oct. 11 for Dig Pink, an annual game aimed at raising awareness and money for breast cancer. 

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