Over 3,000 students, staff from Bartow County Schools join the fight against breast cancer

ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. — Thousands of students and staff in Adairsville came together this morning to raise money and fight breast cancer.

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They did a giant spell-out to raise money that will stay right in the community.

Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach was in Bartow County, where the annual event is held. This year was the biggest.

For one day, the Adairsville Tigers’ color is not green, it’s pink.

From kindergarten to high school, 3,000 students spell out “family” on the football field.

“I don’t know how to describe it…it’s emotional,” Christy Ridley said.

Middle school teacher Christy Ridely organized the “pink out” that started 14 years ago. It was inspired by her mother, who fought and beat breast cancer.

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This year, they’ll meet their goal of raising $10,000, all of which will stay right here in Adairsville to help anyone fighting any type of cancer.

“They’re fighting their battle, and it can get expensive…even if we can just give them $500, every little bit helps. Any little bit helps,” Ridley said.

One recent recipient: their own fourth grade math teacher, Angie Hice, was a recent breast cancer survivor.

“It’s very vital…that you need that during that time because fund aren’t coming in when you’re not working…I was very pleased and very blessed by all the people in this community,” Hice said.

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Also leading a survivor walk around the track was 11-year-old Addeley Sutton.

The sixth grader went through nine months of chemotherapy fighting bone cancer. “It was hard, but I got through it,” Sutton said.

Her family also got much needed help from the Adairsville community during that tough time, and today, still feels the love.

“I felt like I was getting good support and they’re all my family…no matter what,” Sutton said.

On Saturday, thousands of survivors and supporters will take part in the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk.

The walk kicks off at 9 at Atlantic Station. Registration begins at 7.

The event raises money for breast cancer research and patient programs and services.

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