By Alyssa Maxwell
Reporter

Last year, there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in America. One out of eight women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

October is breast cancer awareness month, and Baylor sororities Zeta Tau Alpha and alpha Kappa Delta Phi are hosting events to help raise awareness for the cause.

Zeta Tau Alpha has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the sororities philanthropy for breast cancer awareness.

“We consistently try to have events [planned] every week,” Madison, Wis., sophomore Emily Grant said.

Zeta Tau Alpha sold Think Pink shirts at Memorial and Collins in early October.

Most recently, Zeta Tau Alpha has also been collecting Yoplait yogurt lids.

For each lid collected, Yoplait will donate 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

On Thursday, Zeta Tau Alpha will host a yogurt eating contest at Burleson Quadrangle at 7 p.m.

“Different fraternities, [sororities] and organizations are welcome to take part in this event,” Grant said.

The contest is a team relay of five people, where each contestant will take turns eating two to three yogurts each as quickly as possible.

All lids collected from this event will also go toward the Susan G. Komen Foundation, but more important than the money raised is the awareness generated.

“Getting the word out, though seemingly simple, can change someone’s life,” Grant said.

Nationally, Zeta Tau Alpha has raised over $3 million to go toward finding a cure for breast cancer.

Alpha Kappa Delta Phi has also designated breast cancer awareness as their philanthropy, though they have partnered with Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

During this month, alpha Kappa Delta Phi will be selling homemade green and gold, or pink and white, hair clips and bows in the Baylor Sciences Building. The prices range from $2 to $5. All proceeds will go toward the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

Later this month, they hope to host the second annual pie-an-aKDPhi event. This event allows a Baylor student to choose a member of aKDPhi they would like to pie in the face. Pies will be $1 each, or six for $5. Members of alpha Kappa Delta Phi said they hope to convince Baylor professors to participate in the event as well.

Zeta Tau Alpha and alpha Kappa Delta Phi members have similar motivation for their work with awareness groups.

“Breast cancer awareness is vital to aKDPhi because we believe we can make a difference,” Houston senior Jenny Thai said.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Asian Americans, another reason the members cited for being involved in creating awareness.

“Being an Asian-interest sorority, I believe spreading awareness and raising funds is extremely important,” Dallas senior Isabel Teo said.

Last year aKDPhi raised more than $250,000 nationally for breast cancer research and hopes to double that number this year.

In the near future, Zeta Tau Alpha and alpha Kappa Delta Phi plan on working together to raise more money for research on breast cancer.

San Antonio sophomore and member of alpha Kappa Delta Phi Christine Huynh said their goal will always be unifying sisters by raising awareness. [Breast cancer awareness] is always going to be a goal of ours.”