Shelby Junior High community comes together to support breast cancer

By Press release submission

Oct 26, 2022

Cold temperatures and drizzly conditions didn’t keep the Shelby Junior High community from supporting a great cause, and their football team earlier this week.

During the football games against Anchor Bay North Middle School, Shelby Junior High hosted a ‘pink-out’ with proceeds from the event’s concessions going to the Shades of Pink Foundation, a non-profit focused on providing aid and support to local Michigan families impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis.

“Even with the weather not cooperating we have a really great turnout,” Shelby Junior High teacher and student council advisor, Erin Chambers said.

“Shelby Junior High is trying to make strides and efforts towards Mr. Monroe’s goal of bringing the community together – so, we are doing things like this, bringing students, parents, staff and community members together for safe, active fun – and you can see the support here firsthand.”

Students sported pink socks, pants, face paint and dyed hair at the game and also bought bracelets to support the Shades of Pink Foundation.

“Breast cancer is important to me and my family,” Shelby Junior High teacher and Athletic Director, Derek Smith, said.

"My wife has the BRACA gene that caused the same breast cancer in her mother, which also took the life of my mother-in-law's sister. One of my wife's grandmas was a survivor, and my wife's other grandma lost her battle with breast cancer. My mother-in-law is a survivor of breast, ovarian, and brain cancer. "

Smith’s mother-in-law, Kim Glushyn, was proud to attend the ‘pink-out’ as one of the Shades of Pink tent representatives.

“When I’m approached at these events it’s one of the most wonderful things in the world, because I am a survivor of more than 30 years,” Glushyn said. “If I can give someone hope, that is so important to me.”

While at the Shades of Pink tent at the Shelby football game, Glushyn was approached by a parent who had lost their mother-in-law to breast cancer the day before the game. His family was looking for a charity to donate to in her honor.

It was as though it were a sign.

“I’m just verklempt right now,” Glushyn said as she looked for words to describe the encounter. “It is serendipitous that we were just standing here, and then look at that.”

“It shows you how close to home it is and how it impacts everyone. It really does.”

Shelby Junior High is proud to donate nearly $1,500 to the Shades of Pink Foundation. To find out more about how to get involved with or donate to the Shades of Pink Foundation, visit ShadesofPinkfoundation.org.