On Friday October 22nd Tupelo High School celebrated the last home game with a Pink Out theme. While the football game and pep rally were fun, the importance of Pink Out and why it’s crucial to celebrate Breast Cancer awareness month should be remembered.

“There’s so many people who have been affected by breast cancer. Our students have family members, friends. And we just want to show our support. So it’s really important that we all show our support of the survivors and the ones who have lost their battle” said Ms. Sherry McGaughy, of Student Services for CTE.

The entire CTE department participated by making t shirts that were hung in the hall of I building all month signifying “hanging cancer out to dry.”

Tupelo High Students and staff also recognize one of our strong teachers in remission. Dr. Beth Blanton, Ed.D is one of the Pre-AP English I teachers and has been for seven years. Over the years she has been teaching at THS, she is revered as a passionate teacher. Last year, Dr.Blanton announced that she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer; notwithstanding, this did not dissuade her passion for education. Dr. Blanton even proceeded to focus her concern on her students rather than her ailment.

[​​Why do you believe it’s important to have students at THS participate in breast cancer awareness month?
Even though breast cancer is treatable and has a high survival rate, early detection increases the rate of successfully beating cancer. Therefore, emphasis placed on yearly mammograms and routine screenings are important.

What is one thing you wish you knew before you started treatment?
That is a hard question; I was basically clueless in my knowledge of breast cancer before I started treatments. I didn’t even know that there were multiple types of breast cancer.

What is your biggest self-discovery or revelation after you were diagnosed?
I have been amazed at the support that I have been shown. It is very easy to get down and out when going through chemotherapy and radiation. However, I am very blessed, and it seemed that every time I was about to have a pity party I received a text, call, or something else to show me that I am not alone in this fight. Also, I am not a very patient person and slaying cancer is not done quickly. My patience, my attitude, and my mental, emotional, and physical health have all been tested; however, I feel confident that I am slaying cancer.

What was the most difficult part of your journey and how did you overcome it?
There are many types of chemotherapy and some are more aggressive than others. I took four types of chemotherapy: two were specific to my type of breast cancer, considered to have less side effects, and two that were strong and had the physical side effects that you see in movies. Unfortunately, I not only had the physical side effects of taxotere and carboplatin but the two “milder” chemos that were specific to my cancer damaged my heart and resulted in me having to stop all treatments. Thankfully, when the tumor was removed, the tumor showed no sign of residual cancer so the four initial treatments had been successful. My cardiologist, oncologist, and surgeon are working together to make sure that my heart function returns to normal and to make sure that I am cancer free by January.

Why do you think pink out is important?
Pink out is important because there’s so many people who have been affected by breast cancer. Our students have family members, friends. And we just want to show our support. So it’s really important that we all show our support of the survivors and the ones who have lost their battle.]

Dr.Blanton said “[I feel]very blessed, and it seemed that every time I was about to have a pity party I received a text, call, or something else to show me that I am not alone,” Blanton said.
Unfortunately because of her particular breast cancer, she had to undergo two “milder” chemos that were specific to my cancer that ultimately damaged her heart and resulted in having to stop all treatments said Ms. Blanton.

According to Blanton, “My cardiologist, oncologist, and surgeon are working together to make sure that my heart function returns to normal and to make sure that I am cancer free by January.”

CTE also made ribbons to go on lockers out in the hallways, and health science students held a pumpkin contest by decorating them in pink.
“We made ribbons that go on lockers that are on the lockers out in the hall for students to honor their loved ones who are survivors, and also their loved ones who lost their battle to this dreadful disease. Also, Health Science students in their efforts to talk about breast cancer awareness had a pumpkin contest where they decorated pumpkins in pink,” McGaughy said.