The 11th annual “Pink Out” took place October 28, 2023 at Stamford High School. Beginning in 2013, Stamford High has been hosting this event to raise money for breast cancer. 

This year, Stamford High has raised $12,910 that will be donated to the Stamford Health Bennett Cancer Center. In 2022, Stamford High surpassed the $100,000 mark after raising money for ten years. 

While spreading awareness for this disease, we also commemorate those we lost due to other forms of cancer. History teacher Michael Bucciarelli passed away October 19, 2022 after battling pancreatic cancer. ESL teacher Louis Jean-Pierre passed away February 19, 2023 after battling an undisclosed form of cancer. Security guard and coach Curtis Tinnin passed away April 21, 2023 after battling with leukemia. 

This year’s “Pink Out” shirt was inspired by Tinnin’s message of hope, stating “Live a life of love, be part of something bigger than yourself, and cherish each day.” 

History teacher Jeremy White, who helped to organize the event, said, “Our Pink Out is now a part of the culture of the school. We’ve done this for 11 years and I am always amazed at how our school responds. This year was particularly special because we remembered Curt and all that he brought to Stamford High. It’s just really an amazing event and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Math teacher Diane Burns, who also helped organize Pink Out, said, “The Pink Out is one of my favorite things about this school. I am always impressed by the level of participation and the way that our school has been able to donate such an incredible amount of money, over $112,000.00 in the last 11 years, is simply amazing. One of the main things that Curt preached to his teams was the concept of coming together and acting as one in support of the group. The symbol of the fist is on our shirts this year in honor of that notion. Our school truly embraces that concept when it comes to the Pink Out. Each shirt that is purchased, each dollar donated and the sea of pink that you see on that day are all examples of our school community coming together as one. We are all stronger for it.”

Breast cancer is a disease in which abnormal breast cells grow out of control and form tumors. If left unchecked, the tumors can spread throughout the body and become fatal. On average, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer just in the United States.