"For us, volunteering for CBF is utterly inspiring. Serving the breast cancer community is always fulfilling, yet having the opportunity to build friendships with the Survivors, Thrivers, and amazing CBF staff is something we know we will cherish forever. This community is supportive, strong, and truly incredible."

Myers Park High School's Think Pink Club was created just before 2020 with the goal of supporting Carolina Breast Friends through volunteer opportunities and drives to collect Comfort Bag items. However, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to their plan. Fortunately, under the leadership of co-presidents Leigh, a senior, and Emily Catherine, a junior, the club reengaged with CBF at the start of this past school year. Now, the MPHS Think Pink Club is a regular presence at events and programs, as well as holding drives for item collection.
"So far the experiences volunteering have been amazing and so inspiring," say Leigh and Emily think pink 2Catherine. "It's so fulfilling for us to know that our club is making a difference for the local breast cancer community."

The members of Think Pink have served at our Pamper Night in October, where they hosted Survivors & Thrivers and assisted with bracelet-making, nail polish application and serving food. Last October, members also helped us immensely with the Pink Boots on the Lawn event, volunteering before, during, and after. In December, they held a drive at school to collect Comfort Bag items, and this month they are holding a book drive to collect books for our new Co-Survivor Connections Program. These books are geared to school-aged children to ease their burden when someone close to them has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
While breast cancer hasn't directly touched Leigh's life, she lost her grandmother to another type of think pink 1cancer. She's also making connections with the Survivors & Thrivers she's met at our programs. When Leigh ran into one Survivor, Mary, at Pink Boots on the Lawn after having shared meaningful conversation with Mary at the Pamper Night, the two gave each other a huge, exuberant hug!
Says Leigh, "I knew this was something that I was going to be passionate about and would enjoy being a part of."

Emily Catherine has been directly affected by breast cancer. Her mother and grandmother are both breast cancer Survivors. She shares, "I'm really passionate about making Think Pink a club that can be hands-on and truly help breast cancer Survivors and Thrivers. So our partnership with CBF is the perfect match."
To learn more about the book drive being held by Think Pink, check out their website.
**Pictured top left: Leigh and Emily Catherine; middle left: Think Pink members at Pamper Night; bottom left: Think Pink members at Pink Boots on the Lawn 2023.