Go Pink – with Hair Extensions!

 According to American Cancer Society estimates for 2019, about 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States. Although these statistics are sobering, death rates have been dropping since 1987 because of early screening, increased awareness, and better treatments. We can help make a difference when we promote breast cancer awareness. October is celebrated internationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and here in Santa Clarita, ACS leadership council chair Janine Jones is coordinating her Go Pink campaign. Throughout the month of October, participants donate $10 for a professionally placed pink hair extension which they wear throughout the month to heighten awareness about breast cancer. Janine began the program in 2017 with just a few hair salons and one elementary school, Fenton Primary Center Charter School in Pacoima. Due in great part to the efforts of second grade teacher Jackie Penner who organized the teachers and laid the groundwork for this fundraiser, the program raised almost $15,000 in two years.
This year Sulphur Springs superintendent Dr. Catherine Kawaguchi has authorized the eight schools in her district to participate in the Go Pink campaign. She says, “The Sulphur Springs Union School District supports the work of the American Cancer Society. We feel that it is important that we support awareness with our families and remind people that through education and early detection, we can work together to save lives.” Legacy Christian Academy in Valencia will also be participating in the program.
Janine has an ambitious long-term goal to implement the Go Pink campaign in every school district in Santa Clarita each October. In this way, she hopes to raise $50,000 in the next 3 years. If you are a hairdresser and would like to donate your time to fasten pink extensions or are an interested parent or PTA member who wants to promote the campaign in your school, please contact Janine at jdcbsjon@pacbell.net .One hundred percent of all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
Working together, we can raise awareness about breast cancer and also the necessary funds for cancer research. Go Pink!