Addison Trail hosts ‘Go Pink’ events in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

On Oct. 12, Addison Trail hosted its fifth annual Go Pink Walk to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Top: Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden (center, left) and District 88 Superintendent Dr. Scott Helton (center, right) pose with leaders of the groups that coordinate the school's "Go Pink" activities throughout October. Those groups are Addison Trail's Blazettes Team, Cheerleading Team, Girls Volleyball Team, Orchesis Team, L.A.D.I.E.S., Marching Band and Color Guard. Bottom left: Addison Trail junior Fiona Levesque (left) and senior Hayley Scotti participate in the walk. Bottom right: Addison Trail juniors Karla Regalado (left) and Esbeyda Martinez hold up pink ribbon cookies that were available to buy during the walk.

This year’s theme is “Go Pink Hits Home” in honor of Addison Trail special education teacher Elizabeth Clifford, who passed away in May 2016 after battling breast cancer for several years. Before the Go Pink Walk on Oct. 12, several speakers shared their memories of Clifford. They are (top to bottom, left to right) Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden, District 88 Board of Education President Donna Craft Cain, Willowbrook Social Worker Erik Engel and Addison Trail juniors Destiny Martinez (left) and Yesennia Tiscareno.

Top left: Pink balloons were released before the Go Pink Walk on Oct. 12 in memory of Addison Trail special education teacher Elizabeth Clifford, who passed away in May 2016 after battling breast cancer for several years. Pictured are (from left) Nick Lopez, a close friend of the Clifford family; Clifford's two daughters, Katy and Sara; Grace Fitzpatrick, a close friend of the Clifford family; and Maddie Gwilliam, a close friend of the Clifford family. Top right: Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden (right) presents a plaque honoring Clifford to her daughters, Katy (left) and Sara, and Jeff, to whom Clifford was married for 25 years. Bottom: Addison Trail students release pink balloons to honor Clifford.

On Oct. 12, Addison Trail hosted its fifth annual Go Pink Walk to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The school will host events throughout October to raise funds to benefit Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Center for Cancer Care's Breast Health Project, as well as a student scholarship. “Go Pink” activities are coordinated by Addison Trail’s Blazettes Team, Cheerleading Team, Girls Volleyball Team, Orchesis Team, L.A.D.I.E.S., Marching Band and Color Guard.

This year’s theme is “Go Pink Hits Home” in memory of Addison Trail special education teacher Elizabeth Clifford. Addison Trail also planted a Prairifire Flowering Crabapple tree (which has “pink” flowers) on Oct. 12 and dedicated it to Clifford, who passed away in May 2016 after battling breast cancer for several years. She joined the District 88 staff in 2003 at Addison Trail and taught in specialized programs such as SED88 and ACHIEVE for 13 years.

During her time at Addison Trail, Clifford was involved in the school’s “Go Pink” initiative; helped lead the school’s L.A.D.I.E.S. group, which provides support and ongoing motivational clinics for female students in an effort to help members gain confidence and realize their true potential; and assisted with the annual Pay It Forward event, which welcomes incoming freshmen to the school. To read an article from last May remembering Clifford, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/4976.