If you walk through downtown Madison during the month of October, you are bound to see pink. Whether you see pink hangers at One Hour Modernizing Dry Cleaner, or pink lights wrapped around the poles on Waverly Place, you will see something representing the fight against breast cancer. From pink ribbons tied to the back of cars to pink cups in the fence at Ted Monica field, Madison shows its support.
In 2006, Gretchen Coviello and a group of her friends, including Andrea Waresk, came up with the idea to start the Tie One On campaign. They began with a ribbon sale and continued to find new pink merchandise to sell. Now people from Madison can purchase t-shirts, hair ribbons, socks, wristbands, and shoelaces to support the fight against breast cancer. In addition, the women of Tie One On tie ribbons on the trees around town and dress head to toe in different shades of the color that represents hope for so many women.
In 2011, Christine Massaro, who had been a leader of Tie One On, passed away after a 5 year battle with breast cancer, escalating the support around the campaign. Olivia Waresk, Andrea Waresk’s daughter, commented, “It’s such a great cause and such a good way to remember Christine and all those in Madison and everywhere else who have battled with breast cancer.” The cause not only brings the people of Madison together but raises a huge amount of money for the cause. Last year, $12,000 was raised and donated to the fight against breast cancer. The majority of the money went to the Susan G Komen foundation but part of it also went to “Mary’s Place By The Sea.” This organization is a place where women with cancer stay and find relaxation and peace through a blend of traditional and alternative medicine.
Tie One On has grown every year and hopefully will continue to grow this year. Show support on Friday October 18th by wearing denim and pink to school.