'Real Men Wear Pink' at Belen

By Teresa Martinez - Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

MIAMI | Throughout the month of October, the students at all-boys Belen Jesuit Preparatory School raised $5,000 for breast cancer awareness. The school president, Jesuit Father Pedro Suarez, along with some Belen students, presented a check for that amount to members of the Baptist Health Breast Center Foundation on April 11.

The school-wide campaign, Real Men Wear Pink, included students selling pink wristbands customized with the school's logo, specially designed blue and pink ties as well as other fundraising initiatives.

All money raised by students at Belen Jesuit for this purpose have been earmarked towards providing 10 mammograms for uninsured individuals at Baptist Health South Florida locations. Baptist Health, of which Baptist Health Breast Center is a part, will match this donation.

"We're very grateful to Belen Jesuit for their support," said Dr. Gladys Giron, breast surgeon at the Breast Center. "Through their generous donation, they have become our partner in helping screen those underserved in our community and will play a pivotal role in saving more lives from breast cancer."

La Liga Contra El Cancer has joined Baptist Breast Center in this endeavor and will identify prospective recipients of the donated mammograms, as well as coordinate follow-up care if needed.

"As a mother of a sophomore (and an alum), my heart is so filled with gratitude to know that my son is being given the opportunity to show his compassion and support for such a personal cause with his whole school," said Lidice Lascano, science teacher and coordinator for Breast Cancer Awareness Week at the school.