FRISCO, TX – Pink-Out, a beloved football season theme, can often get swept up in the flurry of pink cowboy hats and accessories, leading people to forget the importance of the event. All 12 high schools within the Frisco Independent School District participate in the Pink-Out tradition annually. This theme was created in commemoration of breast cancer patients to raise awareness each year of the effects of the disease and the strength of its survivors. 

Breast cancer is one of over 200 types of cancers. Affecting both women and men, breast cancer comes in two forms: Invasive and Non-Invasive (also known as Ductal Carcinoma in situ). Research done by the American Cancer Society found that over 350,000 women are diagnosed with a form of breast cancer with roughly 42,000 women dying of the disease annually. While the chances of a man receiving a breast cancer diagnosis are significantly lower, nearly 3,000 men are diagnosed annually, and about 530 of them die from breast cancer.   

Centennial pays respect to breast cancer patients each year by adopting a pink theme for the football game and hosting an annual Pink-Out pep rally during advisory. Held on Oct. 17 this year, the pep rally featured our cheer team, the Sweethearts drill team, Titan Theatre, the Titan Band, and the season’s competing athletes; it’s a time when the whole Titan community comes together to celebrate football season as well as commemorate breast cancer patients. As a special treat, the pep rally also included a Teachers vs. Students Basketball game that ended up going into overtime, and featured a last-second teacher victory. 

Brigitte Wilson is one of many women to have been diagnosed with and survived breast cancer. After receiving her diagnosis of Stage Three breast cancer 10 years ago, she was left in a very fearful state. 

“It was scary. The first time they said it I was very scared. I thought it was going to be the end of my life. I had two young kids and a husband and I was very scared,” Wilson shared.

However, through willpower and strength, Wilson was able to overcome her disease; she’s officially been in total remission for a decade. Wilson is a proud supporter of Pink-Out and loves seeing everyone dressed up for the event in schools and at her workplace.

“Yes, I am proud. At my job they wear pink and they have a day just because of me, because they have a survivor. It makes me feel happy that every time it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day and they wear pink, my co-workers say they wear it because of me and my survival,” Wilson shared. 

While Wilson has loved seeing the evolution of Pink-Out over the years, she still believes more can be done.

“Well, there are people among us that are fighting with breast cancer, or even other cancers, that we don’t know about. So maybe by people doing more fundraising and letting others know that ‘hey we have something to support people with cancer, so if you’re in our midst and you know you’re fighting this it’s just not you, we’re fighting with you and the little that we can do to support you’ would be nice,” Wilson said. 

Aside from Centennial, other schools across the district are showing their Pink-Out support in various ways. Frisco High School is hosting its annual Dig Pink Fundraiser this year, partnering with the National Breast Cancer Foundation to raise money for metastatic breast cancer research. Another example is Lawler Middle School’s Pink-Out Game held on Oct.16 for its students to celebrate survivors and raise awareness. Additionally, many other schools, such as Reedy and Liberty, create Pink-Out T-shirts, and many schools also host pep rallies in honor of the theme. 

It is important to celebrate Pink-Out each year to remind those who have fought or are currently fighting, that we are with them throughout their battle. Our support means more to breast cancer survivors than we know. For more information on ways to get involved, visit the American Cancer Society to continue to make Centennial a supportive community!