Niles High School is holding fundraisers this week to raise awareness of breast cancer. (Photo submitted)

By JESSICA SIEFF

Niles Daily Star

For three years, students at Niles High School have gone a shade of pink in October.

To highlight the continuing fight by so many against breast cancer, student members of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) which was formerly formed as the Drug Free Players, have led the student body through another successful “Pink Week.”

“It actually has grown,” adviser Karissa Young said of student participation. “The first couple of years that we did it, it seemed more like they (students) knew people but it hadn’t actually hit home.”

Now, she says, “it’s the majority. So I think it’s gotten bigger because they’re more aware.”

And that means there’s much more pink this year.

This week, students have participated in a bake sale of pink-themed sweets; bought pink, “Find a Cure” bracelets; and will text their choice for which teacher or administrator will have their hair dyed pink today.

During the football game tonight, Young said there will also be the return of the “Mad Dash for Cash.”

Three years in, she says it’s increasingly resonating with students that the money they raise is going to help those who have been affected by the disease.

“The kids really wanted it to stay local and help the families that are going through this,” Young said.

A total of $1,500 was raised by students last year during the week-long event. So far, $650 has been counted as of Wednesday night.