Three high school freshmen are leading a cancer fundraiser that channels money into prevention — not treatment

Three high school freshmen are leading a cancer fundraiser that channels money into prevention — not treatment. The Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) hosts an annual Against the Tide Swim, Run, Walk event on June 20 at Hopkinton State Park. The event raises funds for breast cancer prevention, community education, and student environmental health programs. MBCC is the only organization locally or nationally focused on breast cancer prevention. Three Hopkinton High School freshmen — Brooke Merrill, Lyla Donohue, and Phoebe Snyder — have been selected as high school chairs for the event. The students are responsible for advertising the event across Hopkinton and surrounding communities and organizing volunteer groups. The students have engaged local businesses and mobilized classmates and teachers to participate. The students’ leadership roles allow them to remain involved with MBCC throughout high school. MBCC has entrusted the freshmen with significant autonomy in organizing the fundraiser. The fundraiser directs financial support toward cancer prevention, a focus distinct from most cancer charities.