Midway High history teacher Heath Brewer just knew he had to do his part. His wife had had a breast cancer scare, a good friend of his had passed away from it, one of his associates had it, and it was an issue that just wasn’t going away.

So, instead of passively taking a stance against breast cancer, he decided to enlist the help of his beloved students and History Club members. Their mission — to bring awareness of breast cancer to Midway and to help the Sampson Regional Medical Foundation’s breast cancer support group.

“We really wanted to keep the money in the county. It stays right here,” said Brewer of why he chose to donate to the cause and raise funds locally.

In his search for support, he decided that the first step that needed to be taken was to get his students on board. The pink ribbon campaign was the endeavor, with students purchasing the ribbons for 50-cent each.

And while many would have thought that supporting breast cancer might not have been a top priority for high schoolers, Brewer knew differently, and he proved it by making as much as $600 as of Friday.

In fact, the support wasn’t just financial. Hundreds of Midway students opted to show their support by wearing various shades of pink to school on Friday, leaving the normally Raider-blue school awash in a lighter shade.

My initial goal was $1,000, and I am pretty sure we will get there this year” said Brewer.

One student to participate was freshman Meagan Shaffer who felt it was important to contribute since her own grandmother battled the disease several years ago and lost.

“I felt it was the right thing to do,” said Shaffer.

Another student, Julie Warren, who came to school in pink, stated, “I wanted to help the people who maybe can’t pay for treatments,” she said.

And according to Brewer, that is part of where the monies will go.

Like Shaffer, student Samantha Stone felt it was a good cause, particularly since her great-grandmother fought against the disease.

“She really suffered from it for a long time,” said Stone.

Freshman Katie Lee was motivated to help since her cousin was diagnosed with the disease at age 25. Happily, she reported that her cousin survived.

But it wasn’t just the girl students who wanted to help.

Senior football player Chris Smith came to school on Friday with a pink shirt hidden under his bright blue jersey.

“I decided to wear pink because it was National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I support it,” said Smith. And while he does not know anyone with breast cancer, he still thinks it is a worthy cause and wanted to help people who suffer from it locally.

“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” said Smith.

After seeing his students commit to a worthy cause, principal Stuart Daughtery said he couldn’t be happier with the work they have completed.

“I think it is outstanding, and I am glad that the students see fit to contribute to such a good cause. It speaks highly of them,” said Daughtery.

And Brewer has high hopes that his students and others will continue to give, even next year.

“I would like to challenge other high schools to commit to the cause next year,” said Brewer.

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@myclintonnc.com.