Students, Faculty, Parents — and Pooches — Support Walk for Breast Cancer Foundation

The Walk came at the end of Parents’ Weekend, so a number of Foxcroft families joined their daughters in raising money and awareness about this terrible disease that affects so many.  Many had been energized for the Walk by the terrific short video created by Foxcroft’s student representatives on the CBBCF Board, Holland D. ’19, and Louise W. ’20, that had been screened in Friday's Morning Meeting. Entitled “Who Do You Wear Pink For?,” the video featured students and faculty sharing personal stories of friends and family affected by breast cancer, along with a message from a prominent local doctor.

Head of School Cathy McGehee, along with Holland and Louise, welcomed participants to campus on Sunday and several sponsors and survivors spoke briefly before the Walk began. McGehee, Holland, and Louise all sit on the Board of the CBBCF, along with Woodruff, who is Foxcroft's Athletic Director. The unusual opportunity for students to serve on the board of a nonprofit such as the CBBCF provides our girls with a terrific chance to learn and lead in a philanthropic environment.

Some 35 runners participated in the race, which was shortened to a campus loop that, when run twice, covered about 2.5 miles. Foxcroft women dominated the results as sophomore Betsy A. and parents/alumnae Victoria Garcia de Vivar ’99 and Dody Lilly Hogan ’87 swept the youth, 19-39, and over-40 women’s divisions, respectively. French teacher Annie Mueller and freshmen Cecilia M. and Georgia R. won medals for finishing in the top three of their divisions.  

The Walk is a highlight of Foxcroft’s month-long observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, led by Holland, Louise, and the student-run Athletic Association under the direction of  Woodruff, also the Association's advisor. In addition to preparing for the Walk, the community participated in a “Pink-Out” dress-down day, challenges involving pink onesies, and more — all in an effort to raise awareness and funds for this cause.

 

The Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit based in Middleburg, has granted more than $900,000 to organizations who share the Foundation’s mission to defeat breast cancer through improvements in detection, treatment, education, and elimination. Ninety percent of the grants go to local organizations and 100 percent of funds raised are given away.