Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Several years ago, the Pocahontas County High School Lady Warriors basketball team elected to give back to the community by hosting a Pink Out to raise funds for cancer research and awareness.
This year, the ladies partnered with the softball team, cheerleading squad and Rotary Interact club to raise $1,411 for the event.
PCHS assistant principal Kristy Tritapoe said the students worked well together to raise funds prior to and during the Pink Out basketball game.
“The Rotary [Interact] club sold luminaries – they put lights in white bags, and people could add someone’s name to them,” Tritapoe said. “They had pink cupcakes and sold chances on two cakes Nancy Kelley made and donated. They sold shirts. The cheerleaders did a 50/50.”
The funds raised by the students were donated to Pocahontas Memorial Hospital to use for its cancer outreach programs, as well as for its cancer patients.
“We’re going to try to use it maybe for some gas gift cards for people traveling to and from treatments, and maybe some equipment used for cancer prevention,” PMH radiology supervisor Cheryl Cain said.
Public relations and outreach projects coordinator Susan Wilkins added that the hospital will also use some of the funds for education and outreach to the community.
The students enjoy participating in the Pink Out and Tritapoe said it will continue to be an annual event at the school.
“We will definitely continue it,” she said. “Actually, I’ve already got the game scheduled for next year.”
Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com
