Pink Day empowers pre-schoolers

CUPCAKES, pink smoothies, fun activities and open discussion have empowered pre-schoolers to help scientists find a cure for cancer.

Inspired by cancer survivor and kinder mum Kristy Weston, the Bop Bop Karrong Barwon Heads centre’s Pink Day event raised $380 and was a positive experience for all involved, particularly the kindergarten children.

Kindergarten educator Danielle Chambers, who organised the special event and had been through her own breast cancer experience three years ago, said Kristy’s daughter Matilda was in her three-year-old kinder class last year when Kristy was going through treatment for breast cancer.

“Matilda is in four-year-old kinder this year and Kristy has completed her full course of treatment, and she’s well,” Danielle said.

“Now that Kristy and her family have gone through the process, our Bop Bop community wanted to raise awareness and show our support for Matilda by giving her a positive experience.

“We talked about Pink Day and raising money for research so medicine can be approved, and outcomes are much better.

“The kids were comfortable talking about cancer and they were quite willing to reflect on the meaning of the day, which led to a discussion about illness and cancer with a big focus on how they were doing something proactive by raising money.

“Research shows that we can reduce that trauma by not being afraid to have those experiences; we can do that by showing support and giving the kids an opportunity to be actively doing something to help.”

Danielle said going through cancer was “a difficult journey for anyone” and it could have a negative impact on children, so it was important for them to see a positive outcome.

Kristy is known in the Bop Bop community for her “amazing cupcakes” which she decorated with the children during the Pink Day program, which also included healthy pink smoothies with watermelon and strawberries and special activities.

The Bop Bop parents committee also supported the event with a raffle, providing prizes on the day, and also made an additional donation to the Pink Day fundraiser.