Orangeville high school raises thousands for breast cancer research
![Westside Secondary School Westside Secondary School in Orangeville, Ont. (CTV News/Molly Frommer)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/3/16/westside-secondary-school-1-6316074-1678984349584.jpg)
Westside Secondary School in Orangeville has been named the top fundraising team for its efforts to raise thousands of dollars for Breast Cancer Canada.
"It's a really big accomplishment for both our students and our community that supports us. I think most people know someone who has been affected by the disease, which is where we have our students who volunteer to help," said Westside Secondary School's vice president Christine Kirkland. "It's really amazing to see their buy-in to give something back to somebody else."
The school has hosted 'Pink Day' since 2004 when a staff member was diagnosed with breast cancer. Pink Day is held every October and is recognized across Canada as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This past October, the school raised $15,635 for Breast Cancer Canada for the Raise More Challenge and has since been named the top fundraising team.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Westside Secondary School in Orangeville shows up for Pink Day in October in support of breast cancer research. (Source: Westside Secondary School)
"I raised over $1,500. I don't know how much specifically, but I just wanted to do it because I wanted to give back to my community. I just recently moved to Orangeville, and I just wanted to do something for this great place," said Grade 11 student Manhar Khurana.
For Grade 9 student Ryan Tovell, the cause hit close to home.
"I've had people in my own family have cancer, and it's just nice knowing that people are getting supported in that way and that there's hope out there," said Tovell.
In a last-minute decision to support the cause, Grade 12 student Emma Kirkland shaved her head during the Pink Day festivities.
"I chose to because I knew it would be a really good incentive for people in my grade to donate," she said.
This marks the fifth time the school came in on top as the lead fundraising team, benefitting the community in a big way, with a portion of the funds going directly to Headwaters Health Care Centre.
"Breast Cancer Canada gives back $5,000 to the local oncology unit. So, that's $25,000 that's come back to support our oncology unit at the hospital. It is amazing that people can have their treatments locally and not have to travel out of town," said Kirkland.
Since Pink Day began, the staff and students at Westside have raised close to $200,000, and they have no plans of stopping. Westside Secondary School hopes to remain the lead fundraising team again in October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.