WINDHAM, N.H. (WHDH) — Middle school student, Ryan Marotta of Windham wore a pair of pink sneakers in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Ryan’s mother is a breast cancer survivor, but he was teased by other students for wearing pink.
Now some of his classmates have rallied to show support for him. Both girls and boys at the Windham, New Hampshire Middle School are wearing pink sneakers, pink shirts and pink socks to support a cause and a friend.
Ryan, 12, got the idea from NFL players who wear pink shoes during their games.
“My mom had cancer when I was about six years old. She survived,” Ryan said.
However, Ryan stopped wearing the sneakers after he was teased.
“It made me feel depressed and sad because I knew that my mom had it and it made me, doubt getting the shoes,” said Ryan.
His mother Kim posted her thoughts about it on Facebook, and says the support of respond was overwhelming.
“Over 50 inspiring comments about, you know, I hope he wears them again. He should be proud of that and nothing negative at all,” said Kim Marotta.
As a result many kids came to school Thursday wearing pink, rallying for the fight against breast cancer and for their friend.
“No one should be treated like that especially with their mom went through,” said Ray Galasso, 7th grader.
“I think it's awesome, a great thing. I think it should have been like from that the beginning,” said Erin Galasso, parent.
Administrators decided that Friday will be an official breast cancer awareness day at the school and all students are encouraged to wear pink.