Lauralton Students Put on the Pink in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Friday, October 12th was GIT Your Pink on Day at Lauralton Hall. As one of several programs created in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Lauralton Hall community dressed in pink—pink shirts, pink leggings, wacky pink sunglasses—a faculty member was even spotted wearing hot pink high-top sneakers. Funds raised from this annual non-school uniform “dress down day” supported the Get In Touch (GIT) Foundation. This Milford-based foundation, a grassroots non-profit organization with an international reach, is deeply committed to breast health awareness and education. The mission of the Get in Touch Foundation, founded by ‘Breast Cancer Kickin' Survivor’ and Health Activist, MaryAnn Nilan of Milford, is to encourage gals of all ages to “Get In Touch” with their bodies, information, and each other in our crusade against breast cancer.
In Lauralton Hall freshman health classes, students received Daisy Wheels, a tool donated by the GIT Foundation to educate young women about the importance of breast self-exams. Students decorated the iron fence in front of the campus with pink yarn and the fine art department sponsored an All-Pink art exhibit. According to art teacher Judith Doherty, "The poster contest is a great way for students to use their talents to attract attention for a worthy cause. These assemblages combine three dimensional elements with warm colors in order to engage people visually and emotionally.” Mary Ann Nilan was on campus Friday to judge the All-Pink poster contest. “The GIT Foundation is now in 50 states and 21 countries,” said Mary Ann. “Lauralton was the very first school in the world to implement the Get In Touch program. As a Milford resident I thought immediately that Lauralton, an all-girls school, would be the perfect place to start. I approached Peggy McGowan, the Chair of their Physical Education and Health Department, and her response was, ‘Bring it on!’ I was honored to be asked to judge the poster contest again this year.”
Peggy McGowan was also responsible for bringing in guest speakers from Bridgeport Hospital. Sally Cascella, Senior Nurse Educator from Bridgeport Hospital’s Norma Pfriem Breast Center, spoke to health classes on the importance of starting breast-self exams early. Her presentation, Breast Health for Teens, also focused on the importance of understanding family history, eating healthy and exercising regularly.
The Lauralton Hall Athletic Department scored a “pink” goal, with the field hockey' pink game raising over $200. Players wore pink shirts, socks, ribbons, and laces.
More information on the GIT Foundation is available at: http://www.getintouchfoundation.org.
For more information on Lauralton Hall health education programs, please contact: Peggy McGowan at: 203-877-2786, ext. 140, or pmcgowan@lauraltonhall.org.
