Lead by Cohoes 8th grader Carli O’Hara, kids from across the Capital Region united Friday in the fight against breast cancer for the 3rd Annual Real Kids Wear Pink (RKWP) Day.
Carli and her RKWP team members were joined by a news crew, photographers, videographers, local politicians and prominent community partners aboard a pink CDTA bus as it made several stops throughout the morning.
“Carli is an inspiration to all of us at the American Cancer Society,” said Lizzie Hunter, Senior Manager of Community Development. “She came to us with this idea, she has grown it over the three years and this year she has big plans.”
Carli set a goal of raising $50,000 for the American Cancer Society, which was achieved at about 6:15 Friday morning.
“It’s crazy to know that so many people are behind us and supporting us,” she said.
RKWP was founded in on honor of Carli’s grandmother, who is a stage 4 breast cancer survivor.
“That’s why I created Real Kids Wear Pink. Because I know if all of us kids come together we can send a powerful message and make a difference,” she said.
Assemblyman John McDonald, State Senator Neil Breslin and Governor Andrew Cuomo all made proclamations to declare October 25, 2019 the official Real Kids Wear Pink Day across the state.
More photos from the event are available on our public Facebook album.