Roy Cloud School in Redwood City, California honored those in their community with cancer on Friday, November 1, 2013 with Cancer Awareness Day.

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1 For immediate release: Roy Cloud School in Redwood City, California honored those in their community with cancer on Friday, November 1, 2013 with Cancer Awareness Day. Roy Cloud School organized a Cancer Awareness Day: Wear it Pink and Hair that Brings Hope. The ASB/Leadership class coordinated some great classroom activities and asked all pupils, staff, and teachers to wear something pink. We also had local hairstylists from several salons including San Carlos Salon Gossip and Burlingame s Mondi Salon who provided free haircuts to all students and staff willing to donate ten inches or more of their hair. Nineteen donations of hair were donated through Wigs for Kids and Pantene Beautiful Lengths. Other students made $ of donations to The American Cancer Society and had pink extensions put in or their hair sprayed pink for the day. A twenty foot long Tribute Wall was set up with tributes to honor or remember family and friends affected by cancer. Additionally, elementary teachers were provided with supplementary lessons to increase cancer awareness and the middle school science classes were taught by Kathy Smith of the Stanford Cancer Center who presented and answered student questions about cancer. Catherine Gaston, Activities Director at Roy Cloud said: The idea to have a Cancer Awareness Day was the brainchild of eighth grader, Trevor Collet. Most students I have worked with would have chosen to have a Crazy Hair Day or something along those lines. The ASB class this year is quite special, focusing on building community and respect. Most of us have been touched by cancer. Both of my parents are cancer survivors so this is personal for me too. The stories are inspirational; and yes, I cut my hair too: it feels fantastic! Dana Hardester, Roy Cloud principal said: I am really excited for Cancer Awareness Day. The students have been working really hard on this, and it is great to see all the community members that have gotten involved. It is hard to find a family that has not been touched by cancer in some way. This is such a positive event. I love that this was a student s idea and the class just ran with it. It is great to see young people working to make a difference! Trevor Collet, an eighth grade ASB senator and Boy Scout, said, I loved how it turned out. I loved all the spirit that Roy Cloud showed. I loved how a bunch of girls donated their hair, and even if they were not able to donate or they could get the extensions. The guys got to spray paint their hair. We raised more than 1,300 dollars, and I hope that money goes to help find a cure for cancer. Destiny Martinez, also an eighth grader, donated her hair. When asked about the experience she

2 said, I cut my hair because my grandfather died of cancer. I thought I could help out the people who are having troubles with cancer, who are losing their hair for treatment that they need. I felt really good about myself, knowing that I could help people. Mother and Daughter duo Luseane and Fololeni Haunga cut their hair as a team. We cut our hair for my aunt who has breast cancer, Luseane said. She thought it was really special that we would do that for her. Overall, we raised 1,400 dollars for the American Cancer Association, and nineteen people donated their hair. We were visited by Superintendent Jan Christianson, School Board members Dennis McBride, Shelly Masur, and Alisa McAvoy. It was a highly successful and emotional day, filled with many memories, new learning, and a general feeling of good will. Tribute wall set up for students and staff to honor and celebrate those who are currently fighting or have lost their battles with cancer.

3 Destiney Martinez before she cut her hair. Destiney Martinez after she cut her hair with ASB advisor, Catherine Gaston.

4 Mother and Daughter team Luseane and Fololeni Haunga before their cut s. Mother and Daughter team Luseane and Fololeni Haunga after their cut s.

5 Boys who wore pink and spray painted hair, including Trevor Collect, in the middle toward the back.

6 Students all in pink from the lower grades in support of breast cancer awareness day.

7 Ally S. before.

8 Ally S. after.