October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month and on Tuesday, Oct. 20, Colleges Against Cancer partnered with the Shippensburg University Women’s Center for its annual Breastival in the Ceddia Union Building Amphitheater. The event was one of many incorporated with their Pink Week for breast cancer awareness.
The purpose of the event was to provide more information to the campus community about breast cancer and its importance in many people’s lives.
An information table provided students who stopped by with pamphlets about breast cancer and its treatments. Students also had the opportunity to play games and win prizes related to breast cancer.
The most popular activity, however, allowed anyone to write a message or the name of someone who has survived or lost their battle with breast cancer, as a way of honoring them. Students were able to keep their paper or add it to a board along with other names.
Katrina Howard, the office manager at the Women’s Center, helped run the event with the help of Stephanie Erdice, the director of the Women’s Center. This is her fourth year working with the event.
“It is very important to learn about breast cancer,” Howard said. “For some reason, many young people do not think they need to get checked. Having it caught in the early stages helps a lot.”
Along with leaders of the Women’s Center, Colleges Against Cancer students helped work the event, as well as the group’s American Cancer Society staff partner, Ashley Schleig.
Schleig said her goals with the group are to support the members and ensure that they have the right tools to give students the information they need.
“Everyone is touched by cancer and it is important to get involved and give back,” she said. “It is something everyone can connect to.”
Colleges Against Cancer plans to host more events leading up to its annual Relay for Life later this academic year.
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