The cheerleader and football boosters of Alpharetta High School and Chattahoochee High School recently presented Northside Hospital’s Breast Care Program with a check to help offset the cost of education, treatment and research for the hospital’s breast cancer patients.  The money was raised during the schools’ annual “Pink Out” campaign and football game in October.

This year’s campaign, “Two Teams, One Cause,” brought together the two schools, which are normally athletic rivals, to show their joint support for breast cancer awareness.  Students, staff and volunteers at both Alpharetta and Chattahoochee worked tirelessly to collect donations and sell pink t-shirts.  Several local elementary schools also got involved.  Approximately 1,200 T-shirts were sold and more than $4,800 was raised.  All proceeds went to Northside’s Breast Care Program. 

“It is so important to get the kids involved in raising awareness of breast cancer,” said Susan Casella, breast health coordinator at Northside Hospital.  “All it takes is for one mother, sister or aunt to see or hear the message of early detection and a life can be saved.”

In preparation for annual Alpharetta-Chattahoochee match-up and “Pink Out” game on Oct. 19, the high schools collaborated in decorating the Alpharetta High School stadium in pink.  Players, cheerleaders, band members and fans also all wore pink in support of the worthy cause.  Casella, along with members of Northside’s Network of Hope cancer survivor network, were on hand to educate fans about breast self-exam, mammography and the importance of early detection.

“What a special night it was; it really impacted the community in an important way,” said Shannon Kersey, principal at Alpharetta High School.  “Alpharetta High school is proud of this tradition that we’ve created and we hope to keep it going.”

“It is inspiring to see how our Partner schools and students take a project and surpass all expectations,” said Freda Hardage, director of the Northside Hospital Foundation and Partner In Education liaison with Chattahoochee High School.  “Northside is grateful to Alpharetta and Chatthoochee high schools for their generous support of our cancer patients.”

This is the second year that Alpharetta High School has hosted the “Pink Out” game.  In all, the event has raised more than $7,440 for the Northside’s Breast Care Program.

More cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and treated at Northside Hospital than at any other community hospital in the Southeast.  As a National Cancer Institute Cancer Center, the hospital offers a complete range of services for patients including education, genetic counseling, imaging, radiation oncology, surgery, support, rehabilitation and more – covering every aspect of breast care.  For more information about supporting the Northside Hospital, visit www.northside.com.