Last Friday, Westside Secondary School in Orangeville switched from a place of red, black and white to a sea of pink as the students celebrated their 11th annual Pink Day this year to honour those who have fought, and continue to fight, against breast cancer.

Pink Day began in 2004 and continues to be celebrated each year in November. The concept was created in order to raise funds for a staff member whose spouse was bat- tling breast cancer. Since six years later, students have been taking matters into their own hands and thinking pink.

Although the hallways were flooded with pink tutus and bandanas, Pink Day is more than just looking like cotton candy all day. Some students and faculty members have personal connections with the damage that breast cancer causes.

Grade 12 student Carter Remm is one Westside student who understands the impact breast cancer has on an individual and their loved ones.

“My aunt had beaten breast cancer two years ago, which is awesome,” Carter said in response to why he has been ‘going all out’ for Pink Day since grade 9. “Ever since then I’ve been doing my part to raise as much money as I can for cancer research.

“My favourite part is how it really shows the school that we’re not just students, but we’re more of a community,” he explained when asked to choose one aspect of Pink Day that he feels is a personal favourite. “It’s awesome to watch everybody stand together for one thing.”

Christine Kirkland, contributor and a member of the Pink Day team, shares her thoughts on Pink Day and her feelings to- wards this annual occasion.

“It’s about creating hope. That is where our money is going,” she said when asked what Pink Day meant to her. “[We’re] all together for one purpose on that day”.

“It’s about the school spirit,” she explained in response to what she feels her favourite part of this special day is. “It’s hard to find a student who is not wearing pink – the students want to give and they want to support”.

Pink Day is a very important day celebrated at Westside, and every year the school spirit gets bigger and better. This day is more than the treats and activities offered by teachers and students throughout the halls; it is the raising of money, awareness and hope for a cause that affects many lives, directly and indirectly.