Around 2010, it occurred to the Cherry Blossom board members that we had an opportunity to really work on the “educate” prong of our mission right in our own back yard. Foxcroft School, one of the nation’s premier all-girls boarding schools, should be invited to join our walk, we thought. Reaching out to school administrators, we invited them to participate. Board members covered their registration fees, Foxcroft brought the students to town, and the girls added an energy and enthusiasm to the walk with a wave of pink. A lasting partnership was formed.
Over time, the partnership deepened — the walk moved to the Foxcroft Campus, mixers were arranged with other schools, Foxcroft head of school and faculty joined our board, grants for student education on early detection treatment were awarded, and Foxcroft was honored as one of the foundation’s champions.
Today, Foxcroft girls “think pink” all year, actively helping to spread breast cancer awareness and raising money to support the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation (CBBCF) in a number of ways. Foxcroft’s support has been so significant and consistent that the CBBCF Board of Directors has established two permanent seats on the Board for Foxcroft students, a rare opportunity for high school students.
Each fall, Foxcroft students continue to be a large and enthusiastic presence at Nanette’s Walk (aka the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Walk, Run and Pooch Prance), which is still hosted on campus. In January, Foxcroft conducts the Think Pink Basketball Tournament for high school, junior varsity and middle school girls teams. The donations from both events and other fundraising activities throughout the year benefit the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Foundation. Over the past nine years, Foxcroft has raised more than $50,000 for the organization.