St. Mark’s in Stratford, a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School, recently "turned their blue ribbons pink" in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month. The school hosted their 2nd annual Cut-A-Thon and invited Jade Salon to help promote the cause.

Four Jade stylists set up a mini-salon in the school gym. Seven girls cut their hair to donate to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss. Eleven boys, including the principal, shaved their heads to promote cancer awareness. Every grade from kindergarten through Grade 8 had at least one student volunteer. All together, nearly 7 feet of hair was shed to promote breast cancer awareness.

Students collected pledges and all money was donated to the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport. Over $1600 was collected and donated on behalf of St. Mark School and Jade Salon.

Stratford Mayor and St. Mark alumnus, John Harkins, arrived to support the school. Also in attendance was state Senator Kevin Kelly, Channel 12 News and Vice President of St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, Michael Bisciglia.