Cheerleaders here who created a controversial breast-cancer T-shirt that their high school banned have decided to sell the shirts nationwide to raise money for research into the disease.
The shirts, with the slogan "Feel for lumps, save your bumps" on the back, were originally bought for the 56 freshman, junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders at Gilbert High School to wear during two home football games. The girls planned to collect money for the Susan B. Komen March for the Cure during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, while wearing the shirts.
But Principal J. Charles Santa Cruz took exception to the slogan and said the shirts never were approved by school administrators. He told Gayleen Skowronek, the cheer booster club president, on Oct. 7 that the shirts would not be allowed on campus.
Skowronek said she has received dozens of phone calls from people across the country, including from North Carolina and Wisconsin, who want to help their cause. Many were interested in buying the shirt, so Skowronek started an e-mail address, saveyourbumps(AT)yahoo.com, and has started collecting orders for the $15 shirts.
The first batch of 40 shirts was ordered Friday.
"The reason for doing this whole entire thing is to raise money for breast cancer, so we thought, 'Let's go with it,' " said Skowronek, 47. "I'm overwhelmed that so many are passionate about wanting to help, especially those who don't live in Gilbert."
LogoWear Express of Chandler, Ariz., is making the shirts at cost, and owner Rick Parker is donating his services to help the cheerleaders.
Skowronek asked Parker and his graphic artist to come up with the design and slogan and thought the shirts were fun and appropriate to bring awareness to breast cancer.
"I don't have any issue with his (Santa Cruz's) opinion, being a parent. But if it was me as a principal, I wouldn't be causing all this ruckus," said Parker, whose daughter is a cheerleader at a Chandler high school. "I respect other people's beliefs. I have seen edgier sayings at my daughter's school. But I can see both sides."
Skowronek said that when the shirt and saying were chosen, she never intended to create problems.
"I never intended nor did I think it would ever get this big," said Skowronek, who was interviewed by all the local television stations Thursday. "But I'm glad it's hitting a new generation by getting the kids more aware."
Some cheerleaders said they were going to protest Friday's football game by not cheering and wearing the shirts outside the stadium while collecting money. But Skowronek said the girls decided they will lead cheers, out of respect for their coach, and not wear the shirts.
She added that some students and the parents will be wearing the controversial shirts though.
"The cheer coach had nothing to do with this," Skowronek said. "This is something the girls have taken upon themselves. We are still backing the coach up, who has backed administration this entire time."
Both Skowronek and Parker agree that the shirt's message saves just one person, all of the angst has been worth it.
"If one teenage girl decides to check herself and make sure her breasts are free of lumps and it saves one life, all of this stuff (controversy) is kind of stupid," Parker said.
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