Colleges Against Cancer's 'Pink Week' to begin Tuesday in front of Bovee UC
Colleges Against Cancer aims to get campus involved with the fight against breast cancer this week during Pink Week.
CAC, an American Cancer Society organization, holds events throughout the year to help raise donations and cancer awareness leading up to the Relay for Life in April.
Pink Week kicks off Tuesday in front of the Bovee University Center at 11 a.m., said Lacey Johnson, a Southgate senior and co-president of CMU's Colleges Against Cancer .
“Pink Week is being held to raise awareness for breast cancer. We have events that have a fun focus, while also giving information to college students about the risks and warning signs,” she said. “Last year, we were very successful with our table in front of the UC, and this year we're hoping for more involvement from students.”
Johnson has been involved with CAC for three years and has been affected by cancer. She was her mother’s caregiver before she passed away from ovarian cancer in 2004.
"I had to physically see what cancer did to her, and looking back at 11-year-old me changing her bandages after surgery and going wig shopping with her, I don't ever want someone to have to do that," Johnson said. "My mom is my reason to relay and my reason to be part of CAC. She's my inspiration.”
According to St. Clair senior and CAC Special Events Coordinator Cristina Guastella, Pink Week is comprised of three events.
On Tuesday, students will be asked to call a woman in their life, reminding them to get a mammogram in return for a cookie.
Bra pong will take place on Wednesday, allowing students to take turns throwing a ping-pong ball into one of the various bra cups that hold prizes and facts regarding breast cancer.
On Thursday, the final day of Pink Week, students have the opportunity to show their support by sporting a pink feather or bead in their hair for a small donation.
All events take place at the UC.
"Getting a mammogram once a year is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early,” Guastella said. “(With) bra pong, we figured would be a fun way for people to win some prizes to help spread awareness, and the pink in the hair is something a lot of people do during the month of October, so we wanted to be an option for people on campus, as well.”
Caledonia senior and Co-President Kevin Wilder said the goal is to see the entire campus turn pink.
“I want to get a lot of information out there and see all the students and professors with the pink ribbons on there backpacks and clothes,” he said. “We want people to attend our events so that they can become aware and we can have fewer people affected by cancer every single day."
Donations can be made at CAC's table in front of the UC from Tuesday through Thursday. Donations can also be made online.
“We want to put cancer in the history books for good, and we'd love any help we can get from student involvement," Johnson said.
