JOHNSTOWN — For at least one night, Columbia blue and black are out as the official colors at Greater Johnstown High School.

Instead, fans will be seeing pink tonight at Trojan Stadium, where a special “Tackling Breast Cancer” event will help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. On the field, Johnstown’s undefeated football team will face Bedford High at 7 p.m.

Coach Tony Penna Jr.’s players will wear pink wrist bands and sport pink tape on their cleats. Their helmets will feature pink dots.

The band, cheerleaders, alumni band and even the homecoming court will wear pink and white. Special pink T-shirts were distributed to the student body better known as the Trojan Army. When the first box of 300 shirts sold out, with proceeds going to the charity, a second batch was ordered.

“One of our Key Club senior leaders came to us and wanted to create a project for breast cancer awareness. We thought it was a wonderful opportunity not only to do something for the school but also to make the community more aware of this terrible disease,” Johnstown Principal Michael Vuckovich said.

Senior Key Club Vice President Deanna

Boerstler spearheaded the project, which has special meaning to her family. Deanna’s mother, Diane, is a breast cancer survivor.

“My mom had breast cancer, and I feel no one else should have to go through that or have a family member go through that,” Deanna Boerstler said. “I feel it’s important that I do all I can to help raise awareness. Whenever it was happening to my mom 10 years ago, I was pretty young. Everyone was so supportive. My dad, my sister and my mom ... She stayed strong for everyone and it made us grow together as a family.”

Organizations and clubs throughout the school district will collect donations at the game with all proceeds to benefit the Windber Research Institute.

“When we heard that the Windber Research Institute was looking for student organizations to help raise awareness and funding for breast cancer research Deanna jumped at the opportunity and took off running with it,” said Rob Heinrich, a social studies teacher and Key Club adviser at Johnstown.

“We’ve had to order T-shirts twice. We have pink bracelets and pink pom poms.

“She convinced the football team to wear pink stickers on their helmets and pink tape on their feet and hands. The band is going to wear pink. The cheerleaders are going to wear pink. Even the homecoming court will wear pink.”

Boerstler and Key Club President Jenna Lindrose are appreciative of the response from classmates, faculty and administrators.

“We got everyone in on it. The National Honor Society, the senior class and all the teachers have been a big help,” Deanna said. “The art department helped us make signs. It’s so great that so many are willing to work together for this cause that is so near and dear to my heart. It’s so important to raise awareness. People who never knew much about breast cancer will know that they have to go and get checked because early detection is so important.”

Vuckovich said the event is another example of the Johnstown Key Club’s community involvement. Last academic year the group had the successful Empty Bowls Project to battle hunger. The club annually participates in Kiwanis pancake socials and plants flowers near the Bedford Street entrance to the city.

“I would argue that our Key Club is one of the best in the Commonwealth (of Pennsylvania),” Vuckovich said. “We have over 200 members. We do numerous projects every year. We’re averaging 23 community service projects a year.”

Heinrich said “Tackling Breast Cancer” also has been a learning experience for the students.

“It’s very rewarding to see the students when they get it,” Heinrich said. “They understand how important something like this is. I had them research some of the statistics on breast cancer so they can put it in fliers and announce it at the game. They found out that breast cancer is the second-leading cause of death among women. That was eye-opening to them. It becomes an educational experience for them and it adds to their motivation to be successful.”

Those who cannot attend the game may make donations by check or money order to the Johnstown Key Club, 222 Central Ave., Johnstown, Pa. 15902.