Pink-Out raised $23,000 for NFL’s Crucial Catch, American Cancer Society

With the help of local restaurants, Fort Mill High School is making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

The school’s annual Pink Out fundraising event raised $23,000 for the A Crucial Catch campaign, a partnership between the National Football League and the American Cancer Society which aims to raise awareness and funds for annual screenings, early detection and breast cancer education, said Kay Click, a Pink Out coordinator.

A Crucial Catch helps support the American Cancer Society’s Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity program that both teaches women the importance of screenings and provides low-cost or free screenings, according to the NFL.

Fort Mill was able to raise an unprecedented amount for the program, said Meagan Swaim, who works in partner relations for North and South Carolina for the American Cancer Society.

“It speaks volumes of their dedication to supporting a good cause,” she said.

A Crucial Catch, launched three years ago, has grown into a national effort by the NFL and local schools, said Riley Fields, community relations director for the Carolina Panthers.

“Breast cancer doesn’t just impact the women battling the disease, but their family and loved ones as well,” he said. The program “increases the dialog and conversation about the importance of being tested.”

This year, 17 high schools in both South Carolina and North Carolina participated. Fort Mill High School was one of the top five fundraising schools and was awarded the pink cleat trophy, Fields said.

“We’re excited to recognize Fort Mill as one of the top, if not the top, fundraising schools through the NFL’s and American Cancer Society’s A Crucial Catch program,” he said.

“It speaks to the overall commitment of the Fort Mill community.”

Last year, Fort Mill High School was the second top fundraising school with $8,100 raised, Click said.

Fort Mill’s success is due to the dedication of the parents and residents, said Superintendent of Schools Chuck Epps.

“It’s another indication of the support for our schools by the public,” he said.

One of the keys to Fort Mill’s success this year was the “Restaurant Wars,” which challenged nine area eateries to donate 50 percent of the proceeds for one item during the month of October, said Lori Hillman, athletic booster club vice president. The establishments helped bring in more than $8,800 for A Crucial Catch.

“They all did awesome,” she said. “I’m so impressed by the community.”

Local Dish raised $1,992, followed by Hobo’s with $1,950 and Beef O’Brady’s with $1,651, Hillman said.

Local Dish decided to use their most popular item, shrimp and grits, said owner John Colwell.

“It’s a great cause,” he said. “Everyone knows someone affected by cancer at some point in their life.”

The Pink Out committee started the effort in 2009 with a few parents that were going through breast cancer treatment, said founder Beverly DeMayo, a breast cancer survivor herself.

“It has been awesome to watch the growth,” she said. “I leaned on the American Cancer Society when I was going through treatment. To be able to help others get access to that support, it swells my heart.”

This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Pink-Out raised $23,000 for NFL’s Crucial Catch, American Cancer Society."