November 15, 2024

Last month was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To increase awareness about this important health topic, learn about prevention strategies, and support friends and loved ones affected by the disease, the young women at Mercy Home’s Walsh Campus held their annual “Walsh Goes Pink” night.

Youth and coworkers enjoyed a pink dinner with chicken, pasta, and rolls made with pink food dye. This special evening is a longstanding tradition at the Walsh Campus where coworkers and our young people dress in pink and eat in a beautifully decorated cafeteria that honors breast cancer fighters, survivors, and the departed.

“Being that we’re a campus of all women, it’s really important to be aware of women’s health issues and being preventative about what you can do to provide your own education,” Amy Schulz, associate vice president of Walsh Campus programs, said. “And if something’s not right in your body, speaking up and saying something about it. Coworkers here are [also] always a resource to our kids to talk about that.”

During dinner, the young people listened to an informational presentation on the possible warning signs of breast cancer, who is at risk, how to lower your risk, and doing self-checks.

“It’s a way for us to come together around something that has probably touched all of our lives and experience and honor that together,” Schulz said. … “It was really cool to see them grasping the importance of it and [know] to say something if they feel like something’s going on [with their body]. We have these kids at a time where their bodies are developing, and we want to create that level of self-awareness and make it okay for them to ask questions.”

Last year, everyone planted pink pinwheels in the front yard of Walsh Campus as a tribute to someone in their life who may have struggled with cancer of any type and to raise awareness in the community around breast cancer. This year, the girls raised close to $650 for Gilda’s Club Chicago, an organization that uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.

In addition to awareness, Walsh Goes Pink is also an opportunity for our kids to remember and honor the strength of both survivors and those who are no longer with us.

“My favorite part was acknowledging the people who have passed on,” Dania, a Mercy Home youth, said. “We also supported people who have breast cancer and showing that we’re still thinking of them too.”

Thank you to everyone that donated their time and goods for the bake/candy sale as well as those who purchased items for the fundraiser.

And a huge THANK YOU to coworker Gewanda Monroe for planning the Walsh Goes Pink events and keeping this event going every October!