‘Sea Of Pink’ Fills Belleville Schools For Cancer Awareness

BELLEVILLE, NJ — It was a “sea of pink” in Belleville.

Students, parents and staff in the Belleville Public School District recently teamed up for their sixth annual “Pink Out,” a fundraising campaign that raises money in the name of fighting breast cancer.

The annual event is held each October in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year, the effort raised more than $6,200 for the American Cancer Society.

During the Pink Out event, hallways, classrooms and offices throughout the district are decorated with pink ribbons and messages of hope. Meanwhile, students and staff don pink shirts, hoodies and sweaters in solidarity.

According to a news release:

“Belleville’s Pink-Out is a way to teach a new generation about a disease that will affect one in eight women in the United States. Although many people are not aware that it can also affect men, it is much more prevalent among women. And although breast cancer claims tens of thousands of lives in the United States each year, the annual Pink-Out organized by Chief Engagement and Partnership Officer Diana Kelleher draws its sense of hopefulness from the promise that a cure is not far away and from the strength displayed by those who triumphed over the disease.”

“It’s amazing to see how our students, their parents and the district’s staff support this event and champion this cause,” Superintendent Richard Tomko said.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who was involved, wore pink and made a donation,” Tomko said. “We can only hope a cure is right around the corner.”

• See related article: Nutley Police Don Pink Badges For Breast Cancer Awareness

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