Matthew Cilbrith – Special to the Southern News
Pink sweaters, pink ribbons, pink balloons, during the month of October almost everything starts to turn pink. This is because October is breast cancer awareness month. Started over 25 years ago, according to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website, and since then it has been at the forefront of promoting awareness about breast cancer.
At Southern Connecticut State University, the group Colleges against Cancer is doing its part to raise awareness around campus. Treasurer Adriana Wetmore, who has been with the organization for three years, said they have a variety of different events and activities happening around school.
“We are doing a bake sale, ribbon sale, Zumba pink, and yoga pink with the fitness center. Oh and we also have the Breast Cancer Awareness Month walk on Oct. 23, we are working with the wellness center on that one,” said Wetmore.
There are more and more volunteers working these events every year, according to Wetmore. She said they put out flyers all over and the fitness center and wellness center are also helping to promote this year. Ashley Ishman, graduate intern at the Health and Wellness Center, said they have added some new things to the walk this year.
“We are doing the annual walk and fundraiser,” said Ishman. “So our office buys a bunch of breast cancer supplies. This year we got different items and this year we also have breast cancer awareness kits and in the kits we put how to do a self-breast check for men and women, so both are aware.”
Ishman said the walk will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 23 outside of the Adanti Student Center from noon to 2 p.m. Ishman said another piece they added to this year’s walk is that they will have breast cancer balloons up around the walk with facts about breast cancer, so people can be more informed.
Ishman said they also have an invite-only luncheon on Oct. 28 in the Engleman building where all the money raised will be donated to the Chain Foundation. The Chain Foundation is an organization founded by breast cancer survivors and at the luncheon there will be members present, according to Ishman. Anyone interested in attending can contact Freda Grant in the Women’s Center. She said it’s not the amount of money raised, it’s just important that they raise any money at all for breast cancer.
“We have at least one event per week to honor breast cancer,” said Ishman. “We are hoping to raise a lot of money but anything we put towards it is great. Whether it is $5, $500, or $5,000, anything we raise benefits this cause.”
Ishman said she holds breast cancer close to her because she lost her grandmother to breast cancer. Some students around campus hold breast cancer close to them as well, including sophomore social work major Jillian Varandas.
“I hate breast cancer,” said Varandas. “My mom’s best friend died last February and I have a couple of aunts who have had it as well, I’m pretty sure it runs in my family.”
Varandas said students outside of the organizations are doing their own activities to help raise awareness as well.
“I know Oct. 13 [was] no bra day,” said Varandas. “I’ve seen a lot of people on campus post it on Instagram and I [was] going to participate.”
Varandas said the groups around campus are doing a great job of putting together all of these events, and now it’s up to everyone else to support them.
