Pink Power Gives Big to Komen Connecticut

Team Name: Pink Power

Team Members: Becky Folz and Mariana DelGaudio

Charity: Komen Connecticut

When it came time to choose a charity for ’s Student Council’s , juniors Becky Folz and knew they would fundraise for breast cancer research in honor of loved ones.

“Becky and I wanted to pick a charity we could relate to,” said DelGaudio. “She had an aunt and I had a grandmother who had breast cancer.”

While Folz’s aunt passed away from the disease, DelGaudio’s grandmother is a breast cancer survivor. Not only did Pink Power want to raise money for research, but they wanted the money to affect those in Connecticut so they chose Komen Connecticut.

According to its website, "Komen Connecticut's primary focus is on our local community – on educating the women and men in our state on the importance of early detection, funding free screening services and providing support to those who are diagnosed with breast cancer." 

Last week, the girls set up a table outside the cafeteria during lunches and X-block selling pink paper ribbons that donors can sign and are then hung up on a bulletin board. They are calling their fundraiser Ribbons for Research and are happy with the results so far.

“There’s a suggested donation of $1 but anything is great,” said DelGaudio. “We’re very happy with the response from staff and students. One girl donated because her mother had breast cancer and she wrote a note on it that said, ‘This is dedicated to my mother. I love you.’ I thought it was really sweet.”

In addition to the Ribbons for Research, Pink Power is also collecting donations from family and friends.

This is Folz’s second time participating in as she also was a part of the project her freshman year. Though DelGaudio wasn’t a member of Student Council that year, she did donate to several of the teams in 2010.

“I was excited to raise money myself and be a part of such a large event that can make a big difference,” said DelGaudio, who joined Student Council as a sophomore. “Big Give is a great way to bring the community together and recognize different charities. You can inform people of all different foundations out there and let them know people can make a difference in all different types of ways.”

To donate to Pink Power, contact Mariana DelGaudio at 203-980-5774 or mariana.delgaudio@yahoo.com.