Principal bans breast cancer T-shirts

GILBERT, Ariz., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- An Arizona high school has banned cheerleaders from wearing breast cancer awareness shirts with the message "Feel for lumps, save your bumps" to games.

The Gilbert High School cheerleaders said the shirts, which read "Gilbert cheer" on the front, were meant to be worn to Friday night's game as part of a school fundraiser for breast cancer research, The Arizona Republic reported Thursday.

However, the cheerleaders were banned from wearing the shirts, which cheer booster club President Gayleen Skowronek said cost $470 for 56 shirts, when principal J. Charles Santa Cruz deemed the reference to "bumps" inappropriate.

"In no way is the school administration against Breast Cancer Awareness Month or initiatives students might take in support of it; we just want to make sure we're in the bounds of appropriate boundaries of a school setting," Santa Cruz said.

Skoroneck said she disagrees with the decision.

"We thought the shirt was age-appropriate," she said. "I think it's hypocritical they would approve a fundraiser for breast cancer research but they won't approve a shirt to bring awareness to breast cancer."

The school's football players said they will be wearing pink gloves, tape, shoelaces and wrist bands to observe October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and help with the school's fundraising efforts.