Schools

Dobbs Ferry 7th Graders Make Breast Cancer Awareness Wall

Dobbs Ferry Middle School students are raising funds for breast cancer research.

This month you'll hear a lot about breast cancer. But rarely will you learn what kids are doing to raise awareness.

Dobbs Ferry seventh grader Samantha DiGirolomo said she recently watched the Lifetime movie "Five"—an anthology of five women affected by breast cancer.

"I thought to myself, maybe we should do things to raise awareness in Dobbs Ferry Middle School," DiGirolomo said. "Like make a wall of hearts or have a day for everyone to wear pink."

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DiGirolomo brought the idea to computer lab teaching assistant Kim Lacroce, who oversees student government.

"I thought it was a great idea," said LaCroce. "There are so many students and teachers who have had family who survived or even passed away from breast cancer."

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The students began selling paper hearts—one for 50 cents or three for a dollar—and posting them on the wall that leads to Dobbs Ferry Middle School.

Now the entire wall is filled with hearts—with the exception of a blank space in the middle that's in the shape of a heart, an idea first proposed by student Erika Laino.

All the money raised will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation. So far, they've raised more than $200.

The students even declared Wednesday Breast Cancer Awareness Day—encouraging members of the school community to wear pink.

"A lot of kids came in wearing pink," DiGirolomo said. "It felt really good to know we made that happen."

Members of the seventh grade student government also created "survivor awards," certificates they presented to the DFMS teacher and teaching assistant who both lived through breast cancer.

"Now, when we're older, we'll know about this cause and know how it affects so many women and men throughout the world," DiGirolomo said.

Specifically—from their teachers who survived breast cancer—DiGirolomo said, "We learned that they had to go through pain and sadness—but that they're now okay in the end."

You can help Dobbs Ferry Middle School students raise money for breast cancer research by making a donation online here.


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