ny typical student wandering the campus of Granite Bay High School can develop breast cancer.
   Unless involved in Pink Ladies or Students Against Cancer, most GBHS students disregard an interest in acknowledging charities that support finding the cure.

Best protection is early detection
   The most simple and helpful method to detect breast cancer is by a mammogram.
   A mammogram is an x-ray of a breast that assists a doctor in searching for a tumor that is too miniscule to be seen or felt.
   Alena Kesti, a former GBHS student, wandered our campus as a blonde hair, blue-eyed student several years ago.
   Kesti became aware of a lump forming in her breast in fall 2006 and noticed the size increasing rapidly. At the end of winter the following year she felt that it was important to seek professional advice about her lump.
   “I was without health insurance, so I asked the nurse practitioner at (my school) for an exam,” Kesti said. “In 2007 I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 23.”
   Kesti suggests that exercise, eating right and living a stress-free life are the actions one should take in preventing breast cancer. She encourages men and women to learn the proper way to self-examine for breast cancer.  
   Even those who are not able to see a doctor for financial reasons have an opportunity to get a mammogram. They are offered for free by local American Cancer Society offices.
   “Monthly exams are essential for awareness,” Kesti said.
   Kesti proves that although without health insurance, battling breast cancer takes a strength from within. Kesti is thankful for the body that she has even though it has given her a hard time. She truly practices what she preaches in living life to the fullest and listening to her gut instinct.

How to ‘think pink’
   October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and even local supermarkets such as Safeway have become involved in the BCA month fundraising. Safeway has costumed its business in pink ribbon decorations to promote the international symbol of breast cancer research and awareness.
   In 1997, Dr. Ernie Bodai, a local to Sacramento, designed a well-known  postage stamp to fundraise for breast cancer research. Every time the stamp is purchased, a portion of the
proceeds are given to Breast Cancer Research. In the past twelve years, products advanced from a single stamp 

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to everyday items you purchase at the grocery store. Recent products include pink coated M&Ms and pink Yoplait yogurt lids. These are just a few goods that contribute to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
   Charities such as Susan G. Komen Foundation and American Cancer Society are recipients of GBHS Pink Ladies donations.
   Every month, any resident can become involved in breast cancer awareness or research related event. Volunteers are rarely denied a task in operating a breast cancer function.
   The GBHS Pink Ladies, who also encourage male involvement, host several events and fund raisers every year that support charities such as American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Foundation.
   Last year, GBHS varsity boys’ basketball joined the Pink Ladies in a Hoops for Hope basketball tournament. The entire gym was decorated in pink paraphernalia and a raffle throughout the game encouraged audience participation.   
   The boys wore pink shoelaces and the coaches sported pink shirts. Cheerleaders also embellished their ponytails with a hot pink bow.
   Pink Ladies will be hosting their second annual Hoops for Hope tournament during a December league game. Upcoming events this year include: St. Baldrick’s, Race for the Cure and a Spring Fashion Show.
   Janey Shugart, parent advisor of GBHS Pink Ladies, is the base of all activities and events that the club hosts.
   Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer fifteen years ago and her oldest daughter, Brittany Shugart, founded Pink Ladies at GBHS.
   “Fighting cancer is a year round battle,” Shugart said. “Get educated. Get active. Be the Cure.”
   Breast cancer does not discriminate. It is a disease that can conclude your life, even at a young age. As the second leading cause of death in the United States, cancer could affect someone in your lifetime.
   Becoming involved in and supporting cancer research organizations could save a life.