BUFORD �” Caleb Turcotte is wearing a pink tuxedo to prom on Saturday night.

He’s not wearing it as a joke or to bring attention to himself. He’s wearing it in honor of his mother, Jean, a breast cancer survivor.

“Me and my sister were thinking about it last year,” the Trenton Public School senior said about the idea to wear a pink tux at prom.

He searched the Web and found one on eBay. His sister, Charmayne Turcotte, 20, said she thinks it’s awesome her brother is wearing the tux. She would have done the same thing at her prom, but a pink dress wouldn’t stand out because it’s a popular color for teens.

Meanwhile, mom is very proud. “I was honored. He’s a pretty special kid, both of them are,” she said.

The jacket and pants are pink, and Caleb is wearing a white tie that says in pink letters, “I wear this tie for my mother.” He is also wearing a white and pink ball cap with a pink ribbon that’s become recognized as a symbol for breast cancer with the word “believe” on it.

Jean Turcotte is currently in her third battle with cancer. She’s had breast cancer for 17 years, and she is going through six different types of chemotherapy.

“We’re still trying to find something that works, but my faith in God is what keeps me going, gives me the strength to go each day,” she said.

During an interview at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center on Wednesday, where she’s the assistant site supervisor, she pointed to a tattoo on her right arm. It’s a wooden cross draped with a pink ribbon, and the words “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” circling the art.

“It’s Philippians: 4:13,” she said, adding her son designed the tattoo.

Caleb has a similar tattoo on his shoulder, and Charmayne has one on her calf.

The Turcottes, who live in Buford, have struggled through the cancer battle since Jean discovered a lump in her breast. At the time, Caleb was 18 months old and Charmayne was 3. Although it’s been an emotional rollercoaster for the family, it’s something the children admit they are used to.

“We’ve been around it our whole lives, we don’t know any different. It’s been hard at times,” Charmayne said.

Jean said she’s received a lot of support from her family, including her husband, Darryl, who goes to all her treatments with her at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Friends and co-workers also have shown their support.

With each battle that’s taken place, Jean has asked to live just a little longer.

“The first time, my wish was to see my kids grow up. The second time, I asked to see my kids graduate. The third time, I ask to see my grandkids,” she said.

Caleb’s date to prom, Miranda Zavalney, is wearing a blue dress. His pink attire is sure to turn heads in a sea of male teens wearing black or dark-shaded tuxes at the prom, but Caleb shrugs it off.

“I’m just wearing it for my mom,” he said.