Faculty members help raise awareness, funds for breast cancer research

Bearden students and faculty members wore pink on Sept. 9 and brought in a dollar to support breast cancer research. Mrs. Shellie Bryant asked SGA to get Bearden students and teachers to dedicate one day in recognition of breast cancer. Mrs. Bryant supports the Young Survival Coalition, a national organization dedicated to helping young breast cancer patients. “It was started by a group of young women who were diagnosed with breast cancer before age 40 who felt like most of the services out there were geared toward older women,” Mrs. Bryant said. YSC partners a young patient with a mentor who has battled and overcome breast cancer. The mentor keeps patients up to date on information such as reconstructive surgery and fertility. Another association dedicated to recognizing and supporting breast cancer is the Susan G. Komen organization. The Susan G. Komen association organizes Race for the Cure every year in downtown Knoxville. Mrs. Ann Ham is in charge of a team of students and faculty from Bearden interested in participating in the race. This year the race will be on Oct. 22, starting in World’s Fair Park. “I’ve already sent faculty information about it, and we really want students to come participate with faculty as well as parents,” Mrs. Ham said. If any student is interested in taking part in the race they can learn more at http://komenknoxville.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&eventID=508&teamID=6169 or contact Mrs. Ham in room 405. Mrs. Bryant is planning on raising money again around the same time next year, and students can find more information about YSC on their website at http://www.youngsurvival.org .