For the second year in a row, Austin High School students are contributing to breast cancer research.

The AHS Youth Leadership Club donated $2,500 Tuesday in support of The Hormel Institute’s world-renowned breast cancer research after raising money for the second-straight year through a “Strides for a Cure” 5K walk/run.

Members of the AHS Youth Leadership Club — recently graduated seniors Jaclyn Bird, Olivia Grev and Nate Schwab along with sophomore Madison Wuertz — joined club advisor Emily Hovland in presenting The Hormel Institute with the donation. Funds from the donation will go directly toward breast cancer research at The Institute.

Dedicated to community wide service, the AHS Youth Leadership Club held the second annual “Strides for a Cure” on May 19 at Austin’s Todd Park. The club now has donated $5,000 overall to The Hormel Institute.

Researchers at The Institute are continuing aggressive work aimed at making discoveries leading to the prevention and control of breast cancer as well as other types of cancer, said Dr. Zigang Dong, Executive Director of The Hormel Institute. Progress is being made, he added.

“We are deeply thankful for the hard work these students put into the event and for their designation of The Hormel Institute once again as the donation’s recipient,” Dong said. “This type of generous community support is vital to our cutting-edge cancer research, and we are greatly pleased to hear that the students plan to continue this outstanding event.”

Madison Wuertz, a sophomore Youth Leadership member, said the group has had great success with the fundraiser.

“We’re hoping we can gain more participants next year and continue raising money for a great cause,” she said.