Local High School Students Swim for Awareness and Funds for Breast Cancer

Oct. 26, 2011 - PRLog -- DELAND – On Thursday, October 20, three area high school swim teams honored breast cancer survivors and showed their support in fighting this disease by donning pink swim gear and raising funds for the Florida Hospital DeLand Cancer Resource Center which provides community women access to prosthetic devices following breast surgery, wigs, and cancer resources.

It was the last meet of the season for University High School, DeLand High School and Seabreeze High School and they raised nearly $550 by selling breast cancer awareness t-shirts and snacks, such as pink cupcakes.

“Many of the swimmers have been directly affected by breast cancer, through family members and friends, and they wanted to help,” said Leanna Parrish, University High School swim coach. “These athletes and their parents are a great bunch of caring individuals who want to give back to their community and we hope that this event will grow in years to come.”

Florida Hospital’s Pink Army was also at the event, helping to spread the awareness about battling the second most common form of cancer found in women.

Launched in the fall of 2010, Florida Hospital’s Pink Army campaign is aimed at enlisting individuals to help create greater awareness about the life-saving benefits of annual mammograms and early detection, all while having fun with friends and family. Soldiers can move up the ranks and earn free rewards by performing different missions, such as enlisting additional soldiers, volunteering, attending events and hosting Pink Parties.

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Florida Hospital Volusia/Flagler is a nonprofit with a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ. With five hospitals, Florida Hospital is the largest hospital system in Volusia and Flagler counties, caring for nearly 650,000 patients every year.