Wellington residents are being urged to “Think Pink!” on Friday, May 11 and come out to support breast cancer research as part of thinkPINKkids’ fourth annual 5K Walk to Win the Battle Against Breast Cancer.
In the walk, held rain or shine at Wellington High School, students and families will come together for a fun, family-oriented evening that will help those battling breast cancer in the community.
“It’s a great family event,” parent volunteer Dr. Amy Aqua said. “We have about 200 students involved in the organization between all of our participating schools, and we’re hoping those students and their families will all come out and support the cause.”
The event begins at 7 p.m. and costs $12 for students under 18 and $20 for adults. Each participant gets a thinkPINKkids T-shirt.
Participants can pre-register this Saturday and Sunday at Ultima Fitness from 9 a.m. to noon or online at www.thinkpinkkids.com. Registration the day of the event begins at 6 p.m. at WHS on Greenview Shores Blvd.
“I want this year’s walk to be better than ever,” thinkPINKkids Wellington President Jessica Small said. “A lot of hard work and preparation go into the event. But every year, all that work pays off immensely. It’s an incredible community event. We try to incorporate things that people of any age can enjoy.”
In addition to the walk, participants can enjoy music by World Class Entertainment, pink hair extensions, Rita’s ices and more.
Entertainment will be provided by the WHS Drumline, Team Wellington Majorettes, the WHS Step Team and the WHS Dance Tech class.
DJ Rick Shockley will serve as master of ceremonies, and participants can buy raffle tickets for the chance to win prizes.
“People have been so generous in the community,” Aqua said. “We have some great raffle prizes, including dolphin encounters, kayaking, tickets to the Miami Zoo and more.”
Already, the club has raised $7,500 thanks to corporate sponsors including Visions Clinical Research, Zasa Clinical Research, Palms West Hospital, Palms West Children’s Hospital, Wellington Regional Medical Center, Dr. Kathleen Minnick, Comprehensive Pain Care, Boynton Financial Group, International Quiksigns, Concurrent Computer Corp. and Charity Dine.
But the club hopes to raise between $5,000 and $10,000 more, as well as reach more students than ever.
“I want more people to join with our already terrific group of volunteers,” Small said, “and I want us to raise more money than ever to find a cure.”
Already the club has expanded from Wellington High School into local middle and elementary schools, as well as Suncoast High School.
A student-run organization, thinkPINKkids helps to bring the community together through events planned and organized by students and parent volunteers. The organization has blossomed in Wellington as a way for students throughout the community to give back and help finance breast cancer research.
“We want to help,” Small said. “Not only that, but we’re doing something about it. That’s what makes this club so incredible. We’re making a difference, one step at a time.”
Proceeds from the walk are donated to Dr. John Cleveland of Scripps Florida, who is currently developing a drug to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer, Aqua said.
Additionally, the students donate to Your Bosom Buddies II, a local breast cancer support group.
“That’s why we feel so good about doing this,” Aqua said. “We don’t keep any of the money. It all goes into the local community.”
Small, a WHS junior, has been in the club for three years and said she joined to help women in the community suffering from breast cancer.
“My great-aunt has been living with breast cancer for years,” she said. “Due to recent complications, she has had to undergo more treatment. Watching her bravery, and the bravery of other women like her, inspires me. I want to help these women, and I want to give them hope.”
For more information, or to donate, visit www.thinkpinkkids.com.
