Students gathered on Wednesday to eat pink cotton candy and read flyers that urged them to “feel their boobies.”

The Women’s Center and Colleges Against Cancer sponsored the Breastival on Oct. 2.
The CUB amphitheater was filled with tables where visitors could play games and win prizes while learning about breast cancer.

“It’s what I call an info carnival. So it’s information at each table, but there’s also games and prizes,” Women’s Center Director Stephanie Erdice said.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in 227 women under 30 will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the next 30 years.

“We can get breast cancer, too, and I don’t think everyone’s aware of that,” said Lainey Schock, Women’s Center intern and undergrad student.

“We want to bring awareness to it particularly for young women and to celebrate survivors and remember people who have lost their battle with breast cancer,” Erdice said.

In keeping with the goal of celebrating and remembering, some fair-goers opted to write inspirational messages or memorials on pink ribbons that attached to a poster board.

Among the tables was a station where students could make their own surface cleaner using vinegar, baking soda, natural dish soap, borax and hot water.

According to the Breast Cancer Fund, many household cleaners contain carcinogens that are linked to breast cancer.

“It gives them more information and more awareness about what they might be putting on their body or in their house that could be hazardous to them,” Erdice said.

Laura Gordon, breast health patient navigator at Chambersburg Hospital, had a table at the festival where she answered questions and, using models of breasts, showed students how to give breast self-exams.

Colleges Against Cancer, a sponsor of the Breastival, will be hosting a 5K run on Oct. 20 to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Visit sucolorsofhope5k.weebly.com/ to register.

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