Forgo traditional campus decorations of banners, pennants and signs. Next week, Shippensburg University will be getting a makeover with demis, push-ups and racerbacks.

The SU Women’s Center will be hosting a rally for Bras Across Campus. The rally will be a fundraiser for the Feel Your Boobies Foundation, on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Ceddia Union Building Multipurpose Room

The event will feature music, desserts, games and a special talk from the founder of Feel Your Boobies, Leigh Hurst.

Feel Your Boobies is a non-profit organization that promotes breast cancer education for young women. Emphasizing the importance of self-examinations, it encourages women of all ages to “feel your boobies” for early cancer detection.

This is the first year college campuses will be hosting Bras Across Campus, and SU is one of six universities hosting it this fall.

Holly Harrar, an SU alumna, is a co-creator of a documentary to be shown at the rally.

“The goal is simply to educate, engage and empower young women to get thinking,” Harrar said.

A Bra Chain will be created and strung across campus during the rally to raise awareness for breast cancer. Various stations will also be set up for students to learn more about the disease, and how it affects women both young and old.

“This is not your grandmother’s disease, and not one single person is invincible,” Harrar said. “I believe every young woman should know this and be proactive about their health.”

According to the Young Survival Coalition, more than 13,000 women under 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. Women in this age group also tend to experience more aggressive forms of cancer and have lower survival rates. Much of this stems from there being no efficient screening tool for identifying breast cancer in young women.

While Harrar said she encourages women to be aware of the risks, she emphasizes preparedness over being fearful. She also stresses to not be “fooled by all the pink,” as men and people of all ages are affected by breast cancer, whether personally, or through a loved one.

Harrar said all should attend Bras Across Campus, not just for education, but for support of all people affected by breast cancer.

“Think of coming to Bras Across Campus to support those still in the fight and to educate yourselves and others about the importance of this mission,” Harrar said.

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