Fighting Back Against Breast Cancer

– By April Miller –

After the death of her grandmother from breast cancer before the start of the school year, Timor Balaish was left reeling. As sad as she was, the Rye High School freshman wanted to do something productive to channel her pain. Together with some supportive friends, she came up with the Rye High School Breast Cancer Awareness Club.

"It was my way of healing, Timor said. "It was my way to pay a tribute to my grandmother."

In a letter sent out in May, the club announced its plan to raise $4,000 for a to-be-determined cancer organization by the time they graduate (all members are freshman). They have raised $800 so far this year through bake sales, featuring pink-themed treats, and Pink Penny Pots, a symbol of their campaign. A few times a month, the girls sit outside the cafeteria with the pots to collect loose change from students and faculty. They also hand out brochures with information on breast cancer.

Not bad for a club that was started in October, after the club fair and sign up had occurred.

And they have bigger plans for next fall, when they will have the chance to recruit members and have the full school year to fundraise.

Activities already in the works include organizing teams to walk in the American Cancer Society's annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Manhattanville College and designing a quilt to be made of donated squares.

Club Advisor Susan Cicelsky gives full credit to the girls for all they've accomplished. "I am so proud that they are taking these steps at such a young age to create awareness," she said. "Students will listen to their peers before they listen to adults, so this is important. So many people at this school have been affected by cancer."

To help the Rye High School Breast Cancer Awareness Club, donations may be made to Rye City School District: Breast Cancer Awareness Club and mailed to BCA Rye High School, Parsons Street, Rye, NY 10580 or brought to the High School Office.