Pink Out raises 200K for UCAN

The Poplar Bluff community becomes passionately pink during October in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For 10 years, the Poplar Bluff High School Student Council has strived to have the stadium filled with football fans dressed in pink for the annual Pink Out game, which this year will be held Friday, when the Mules take on the Cape Central Tigers.

The first area celebration of Pink Out Day was organized by the Poplar Bluff High School Student Council in 2010, with proceeds benefiting the United Cancer Assistance Network, said UCAN Executive Director Melody Chailland. UCAN became involved in the fundraising two years later.

“We have partnered with UCAN selling Pink Out T-shirts,” said Hope Conover, student council assistant adviser. The student council adviser is Jennie Randolph.

Conover recalls, Pink Out Day started the first year she worked with the student council and student Brooke Kirby wanted to get the student body involved.

“It was my first year, it was a hit,” Conover said. “Everyone really liked doing Pink Out and it became a tradition.”

The funds raised during the Pink Out T-shirt sales are donated to UCAN. During the first nine years, $200,000 was raised to benefit cancer patients served by the organization.

The proceeds go directly back into the community, helping residents with cancer-related expenses, such as transportation, nutritional supplements, fuel cards, utilities, housing, lodging, wigs, turbans and many other costs, Chailland said.

UCAN “receives no government funds,” Chailland explained. “This is one of our largest fundraisers of the year. We depend on it to provide direct assistance to people battling cancer in Butler, Ripley, Stoddard and Wayne counties.”

“Wear your pink to the game,” Chailland said. “We do things all month since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but we will get thousands of emails asking ‘where can we get shirts?’”

Shirts may be purchased at the council’s Spirit table, Conover said. Anyone who would like a shirt may contact Conover at hopeconover@pb.k12.mo.us.

Shirts also may be obtained by calling UCAN at 573-776-1892. Chailland explained arrangements will be made for those interested to pick up the shirts curbside. For the safety of cancer patients, visitors are discouraged from coming into the UCAN office. Lemonade House Grille also has shirts for sale, as well as honor/memory cards to hang on the wall for a donation to UCAN.

Chailland also asks everyone to tag the UCAN Facebook page with their Pink Out photos “so we can see them.”

Conover stressed, “even if they cannot purchase a new Pink Out shirt, please wear pink Friday, Oct. 9.”

This year’s Pink Out shirts are $15 for sizes YXS-XL and $20 for sizes 2XL and larger.