R-S Central & Chase Cheerleaders Raise More Than $1,500 at Breast Cancer 'Pink Out' Fundraiser

The R-S Central and Chase High School Cheerleaders, along with supporters, raised $1,564 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the teams' "Pink Out" fundraiser on Monday, Oct. 12. Held during the schools' rivalry football game, funds raised included $500 collected by the Rutherfordton Fire and Police Department from sales of breast cancer awareness patches and t-shirts.

Cheerleaders and volunteers sold baked goods, cotton candy, pink lemonade and raffle tickets to raise funds toward the purchase of a blanket warming cabinet for the Rutherford Regional Health System Mammography Place to keep patients warm during exams.

"Our goal was to raise $500 to put toward the purchase of a warming cabinet, but thanks to the tremendous support of our community, we have enough to purchase the $1,500 cabinet," declared Cindy Cope, parent of an R-S Central cheerleader. "We are incredibly thankful to our students, parents, community and the Town of Rutherfordton for partnering with our cheerleaders on this important effort."

RS Central and Chase High School varsity cheerleaders, as well as young honorary cheerleaders from across the county, spent months practicing a tribute routine performed at the game's halftime. The cheerleaders reassembled on Tuesday, October 25 to present a check to Sharon Elliot, Rutherford Regional Health System Mammography Place Supervisor, at Chase High School. Family members of those affected by breast cancer also attended the event, along with representatives from the Town of Rutherfordton and Rutherfordton Police and Fire Departments, also attended the moving celebration.

"Rutherford Regional Health System is humbled and grateful for this very thoughtful and meaningful contribution to The Mammography Place," said Matt Webber, RRHS' Administrative Director of Marketing and Business Development. "Our community's efforts to support such a worthy cause are beyond admirable. These funds will be used to create a more comforting experience for women who come to us for their screening mammograms. The Mammography Place has consistently performed among the nation's leaders in patient satisfaction, and the blanket warmer this gift will purchase is one more way we can extend a personal touch to our patients."