Cary-Grove Student Joins Breast Cancer Fight

senior Zachary Taylor, in his third year of fundraising, hopes to raise more money and awareness for the breast cancer fund.

The high school community service group called Interact has been a vehicle for Taylor and volunteers to have a unified presence in the high school and throughout the community.

"When my grandmother was first diagnosed with breast cancer, my dad and I would run the Care 4 Breast Cancer 5K each October," Taylor said, explaining his inspiration to start the project.

"In 2009, as a sophomore, I was on the Interact Board and presented to them that we have volunteers help at the race. I then learned we could form teams."

Taylor then formed Team Cary-Grove Trojans, which the team raised $7,600 from walkers, runners and donations.

In 2010, the team went on to raise $16,000. However, this year, Taylor has a goal of surpassing that amount.

"Last year my grandmother passed away and I wanted to know how to raise more and thought of selling pink Cary-Grove Cares T-shirts," Taylor said.

Taylor has designed the pink T-shirts and local business man Tom Posey of Team Werks in Cary has helped offset cost.

Each shirt sells for $10, of which the full profit, $4.50, is donated for the cause.

"We’ve raised a lot of money and all that money stays within McHenry County – each dollar is truly used and no fees are taken out. The community has embraced this," Taylor said.

Last year, the football and volleyball teams participated by holding their own pink out. This year it has grown to include the school's cross country, tennis and soccer teams.

The Trojans had 1,400 shirts this year for sale and have sold about 1,370 so far, they are just shy of a $6,400 profit in shirt sales alone.

"I like how the community comes together, so many have reached out and offered to help sell," Taylor said. "Teams have purchased shirts, other moms contact us with orders, and it’s been a great community event."

Upcoming events:

• Care 4 Breast Cancer 5k Run/Walk Oct. 23