By Madison Fraser | Reporter
The women of Zeta Tau Alpha held an all-university event on Monday to inform the student body of signs of breast cancer with the Bright Pink organization on Fountain Mall. This event coincided with the month of October and Zeta’s philanthropy, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness.
The event provided information on women’s health, self-checks, prevention and screening for early breast and ovarian cancer. In collaboration with the popular fashion line Aerie, gift cards and free giveaways were given to the first 1,000 attendees. Food trucks such as Mad Hasher, Steel City Pops and Heritage Creamery were also present at the event.
“We have the ability to cultivate a power conversation that includes raising awareness and education on a disease that is so prevalent today,” Bellingham, Wash., junior Bailey Molnar said. “This event is an opportunity for our campus community to come together and support one another so nobody feels they are fighting this battle alone.”
It is Zeta’s hope for this event, and all events they host for their philanthropy, to have individuals become more aware of the risks and signs of breast cancer. Through this event, the organization, Bright Pink, allowed for more people to have knowledge of what breast cancer feels like and what one should do if they believe they might be at risk.
“Being prepared is so important in the early stages of cancer because the earlier you can identify it, the greater chance you have of survival,” Killeen junior Maryssa Bradley said.
Today there are over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.
“When I was a child my grandmother had breast cancer and it wasn’t easy to see her go through that,” Bradley said. “What made it harder, however, was to see how much it affected my father. She made it through and is still here today, but if we hadn’t detected it earlier, she would have had a little bit easier time getting through it.”
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In the United States alone there are 252,710 women who are diagnosed each year. While it is rare for men to be diagnosed with breast cancer, 2,470 will be diagnosed each year.
Through this event, Zeta Tau Alpha stressed the importance of one being able to identify the possible signs and risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Their hope is to help and educate the Baylor community and prevent fellow students from suffering through this disease.
