Pink Out raises $16,500 to fight cancer

Penn Manor students, staff and community members have united in the fight against cancer – to the tune of $16,563!

That’s how much was raised during the 2016 Pink Out, the Penn Manor community’s effort to support cancer care and research programs.

The Penn Manor field hockey team led the way, raising nearly $12,000 through T-shirt and bake sales and other fundraisers. In all, Penn Manor students and staff sold more than 2,000 pink “Comets Unite to Fight” shirts – a record – at all 10 district schools.

Other fall sports teams and the Penn Manor Marching Unit joined in, with raffles, bake sales and other fundraisers of their own.

Nearly $13,000 of the total raised went to the American Cancer Society to support breast cancer research, patient care services in Lancaster County, and Hope Lodge in Hershey, which provides housing for cancer patients.

Other funds went to Help the Fight, the Four Diamonds Fund and Relay for Life and to support the Tom Atkinson family.

The Pink Out was established in 2011 by the field hockey team after Coach Matt Soto was inspired by a man who approached him after a game.

The man told Soto that the coach’s sister, a breast cancer surgeon, had saved his wife’s life. That prompted Soto to challenge his team to do something to help cancer patients.

That simple idea has blossomed over the years into a district-wide effort involving thousands of Penn Manor students, coaches, staff and community members.

Thanks to all who helped make this year’s Pink Out such a success!