By Carmen M. Hubbard

ARCHDIOCESE — Four all-male high schools within the Greater Catholic League have joined forces for a common goal.

Archbishop Moeller, Elder, LaSalle and St. Xavier High Schools announced on Sept. 23 their plans to raise money to help fight breast cancer. Proceeds will go toward the ProScan Pink Ribbon Center on East Liberty Street in Over-The-Rhine.

"We’ve all been touched by the disease. It’s especially important at an all-male school by becoming aware of the tragedy and have early detection," Barry Borman, athletic director of Moeller High School, said during a press conference at Green Diamond Gallery in Montgomery.

Organizers hope to raise at least $20,000 total from the schools to go toward the center. The schools will sell T-shirts for $10 each on Oct. 3 during the Moeller vs. Elder and St. Xavier vs. LaSalle football games.

Corporate sponsors for the center include the Cris Collingsworth ProScan Fund, the Anthony Muñoz Foundation and UGIVE, an organization that provides volunteer opportunity for students.

Initially, money from the i-wireless Prep Classic, hosted by Marvin Lewis Community Fund, the Muñoz and the Collingsworth ProScan foundations, Hamilton County officials and the Cincinnati Bengals supported the center. However, when the showcase ended so did the center’s funding to cover healthcare costs for low-income women.

Kim Hauck, an administrative assistant for Moeller’s athletic department, said after watching women visit the Pink Ribbon center to have a mammography she realized funding should continue to assist women and their health. As a result, she presented the fundraising idea to principals and athletic directors of Elder, LaSalle, Moeller and St. Xavier.

According to the Mayo Clinic, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among American women. Lung cancer is the first. More than 200,000 women nationwide are diagnosed each year with breast cancer. Nearly, 40,000 women die from it annually. Experts say early detection has been emphasized to catch the disease in its early stages.

"Life is a gift and you have to enjoy it, and embrace it," said Jan Ranard of Loveland. The mother of two was recently diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time.

For more information about the ProScan Pink Ribbon Center and where to donate, contact Kim Hauck at 513-791-1680, ext. 1100.