Pink cleats, pink gloves and pink bracelets. Everything is pink to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Guilford, even on the football field. Chris Campolieta, a defensive back on the Quaker football team, and his family experienced the disease firsthand.

Two days before Christmas in 2011, Chris’ mother, Pat Campolieta, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I want people to know that cancer does not discriminate,” said Pat. “It can happen to anyone at any time.”

In an email interview, she described the heavy emotions she felt while deciding when to break the news to her family.

“The boys had no idea, and I was not going to have this heavy burden on them during the holidays,” Pat said. “Tears (were) streaming, my husband (was) shielding the boys from the conversation. Breast cancer had hit our home. Now, it was time to tell the twins.”

First-year-student Chris remembers this day as the worst of his life.

“To explain what type of lady my mom is, she did not want to ruin her kids’ Christmas,” said

Chris. “She waited a few days afterwards to let it down to all of us.”

At the time Chris and his twin brother were seniors in high school. Of Pat’s seven children, Chris is the youngest by one minute.

“I cried a lot,” said Chris. “I broke down not just one day but every night, because I didn’t know what was going to happen. I mean, it’s my mom. I’m a mama’s boy.”

Chris didn’t let his mother’s cancer become an excuse. If anything, it motivated him.

“I added more chores around the house and picked my grades up,” said Chris. “I wanted to so my mom wouldn’t have to worry about that stuff.”

Chris, like many Guilford students who are inspired to do great things, decided to hold a fundraiser in honor of his mom’s strength and determination in overcoming breast cancer.

“Chris called me early in October to remind me that it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Pat.

“Chris said, ‘Mom, I want to do a fundraiser for breast cancer, so I ordered a bunch of pink bracelets, so if anyone wants to donate they can get a bracelet.’”

One day after practice, Chris shared information with the football team about his mother’s breast cancer odyssey.

“Chris approached the entire team during a meeting to let everyone know about the fundraiser,” said safeties coach Steve Terlesky. “It took a lot of guts to tell his story, and from that perspective I have a lot of respect for Chris. It was brave.”

Terlesky noticed a lot of team members wearing pink bracelets during practices and games.

This prompted the entire coaching staff to contribute to the cause as well.

Chris’ best friend, first-year student Matt Pawlowski, wears his bracelet every day.

“I got a chance to donate to the fundraiser,” said Pawlowski. “I wanted to show support for not only Chris’ family, but for all families dealing with cancer.”

Another teammate, first-year student Reggie Bullard added, “As a team, we wanted to do something special for the Campolieta family and other families. We used Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to help Chris reach his goal and to show (that) we care.”

The use of social media greatly increased awareness about the fundraiser.

“Give credit to the entire Guilford community,” said Director of Admission Andy Strickler. “This is one kid who reinforces the values of our community. That’s very Guilford. That’s very Quaker.”

Chris’ family struggled for a while, like all families dealing with this unannounced disease, but the self-described mama’s boy is grateful for his mother’s presence.

“I cried just as much when I knew she was cancer-free,” said Chris.

With her around, he feels like he can accomplish anything.