Pink Shirt Day: Together, Let’s Stand Up to Bullying!

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Pink Shirt Day

Last year, I shared a post on Pink Shirt Day and shared why it’s such an important day and cause to me.

When Britta, from Vancouver Vogue, reached out to me to get together again for this cause, I actually couldn’t believe it had been a full year since we last banded together to stand against bullying. I don’t know where the last year has gone, and it feels as though time is just flying by so fast.

Of course, though – rain, shine, flu (and sadly, I did have the flu here), I had to make it out to show my support for this amazing cause.

 

If you followed me last year when I posted about Pink Shirt Day than you likely know that I struggled with bullying when I was younger.

 

 

I was 12 years old, had severe scoliosis and was awaiting surgery.

In the eyes of my peers, my curved spine was an invitation for cruel comments and hurtful names. While I now look at this time in my life as a time that really shaped me into the person I am today, I also can’t help but wince a bit when I think about all the days I went home from school in tears. It was a painful time in my life. 

 

 

Back then, the online world was just beginning to take off.

The bullying I experienced was more aligned to the “Mean Girls” 3-way call attacks and MSN chat attacks (Oh god, does anyone even remember MSN? Am I showing my age?), rather than today’s intense cyber bullying.

 

 

I recall the bullying I went through over those few years as quite hurtful, and it breaks my heart to think of how many young girls and boys are going through that and more nowadays.

 

 

The thing about bullying is it can be stopped with one thing: education.

People are cruel over things they don’t understand, and we all need to help put an emphasis on kindness education. I truly believe that together we can one day change the world by putting a stop to bullying.

 

Wear Your Pink Shirt on February 22, 2017

Pink Shirt Day encourages everyone to take a stand against bullying by wearing an official Pink Shirt Day t-shirt on February 22nd.

Again this year, London Drugs is the exclusive retailer of the official shirts with net proceeds going to support local Boys and Girls Clubs across British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Over the past 9 years, London Drugs has raised over a $1 Million dollars for Boys and Girls Clubs and anti-bullying programs across Western Canada. 

In addition to pink shirts this year, London Drugs will also be offering bracelets for $2 and stuffed bears wearing their very own pink shirt for $12.95 in support of the CKNW Orphan’s Fund.

All funds raised will be donated back into the community of purchase!