A new fashion trend has hit Penn Manor and its all pink, all the time.
Many students can be seen throughout the halls wearing “I ♥ Boobies” bracelets sold by the “Keep a Breast Foundation.” These bracelets can be found at popular stores in the mall such as Zumiez and Hot Topic, or they can simply be found online.
Although the bracelets are rising in popularity, not everyone cares about the significance.
In fact some students think that it’s all just one big joke.
“Students may be wearing [the bracelets], but they really don’t care about breast cancer,” said Eric Ederati.
“Kids think it’s funny when [breast cancer] is really a serious problem,” said Danielle Leon.
Derek Hollow, wearing one of the bracelets himself, acknowledged he wasn’t that interested in the charity.
“I got it from my brother and I just thought it was funny,” said Derek. “It’s like having a Livestrong bracelet; people wear them just to wear them.”
And then there was Anissa Gerlach.
“I think some students are wearing [the bracelets] for the right reason,” said Gerlach.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer can begin in various parts of the breasts. It is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells.
“In 2009, an estimated 192,370 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed among women in the United States. Pennsylvania alone had approximately 9,380 new cases of female breast cancer,” said ACS employee Danine Baird.
Understanding breast cancer and knowing the signs are two key factors to staying in control of your health.
Cancer is a serious disease, but the survival rate has gone up in the past 50 years from 80% to 98%, according to americancancersociety.com.
“The American Cancer Society patient services provide free support and educational programs designed to assist survivors in their treatment, educate patients and caregivers, and improve the overall quality of their life,” said Baird.
Breast cancer walks, such as the Relay for Life, and peer-support programs are growing in popularity.
No matter what the reason, breast cancer support rates are on the rise and Penn Manor has done more than just start a fashion trend.
By Emily Brody
I have mine & wear it everyday..it supports a good cause & starts up some interesting conversations!
This is a very good article, Emily. It just bothers me that students think its funny to wear those bracelets while some people are wearing them for a reason. My mom has breast cancer, and she went out and bought these bracelets for me and my brother, to represent her and her cause. It’s just bothersome when I’m like “oh, you have a bracelet too?” and they’re like “yeah, isn’t it hilarious?” Not really, at least when your mom has breast cancer.
The breast cancer society didn’t make those bracelets, so the money really isn’t going towards breast cancer.
That’s why LS banned them.