An awareness day for bullying prevention is being lengthened to a full week in Swift Current.

Pink Day is normally February 22nd, but that day is a school holiday in Saskatchewan in 2017. Pink Week is the alternative, and is running February 12-18.

Natascha Thoennes is the Red Cross' Outreach Coordinator for Swift Current.

Thoennes explains the importance of City Council backing the Pink Week initiative at their January 30th meeting when she made the Pink Week declaration in front of Council.

"It really shows the community that it's a worthy cause that we're fighting for. This is something that impacts your neighbour, someone down the street, or someone across the city. It's something that's happening right here in your community, and having the city involved really reinforces the importance," she said.

The Red Cross' main Pink Day/Week initiative is the sale of Pink Day t-shirts, which they have been selling since 2009. Thoennes says through the sales of the t-shirts, the Red Cross is able to educate more students on bullying.

"So last year alone, we were able to reach more than 30,000 students across the province with our bullying education programs. This year, we have a target of being able to reach another 20,000 students. That's why we're really encouraging individuals, schools, and businesses to get involved when it comes to purchasing the shirts," she said.

For more information and links to purchase a shirt in support of Pink Day/Week in Saskatchewan, Thoennes encourages individuals to visit www.redcross.ca/pinksk.