Georgian Court University students marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month with several activities, including an indoor walk, information tables, crafts, and more.
The October 9 gathering—which was moved indoors because of windy, rainy weather—drew upward of 150 students, faculty, staff, and community supporters to the university’s historic Casino building. One of the crowd favorites was the “Bra Pong” ball toss game. Also popular with students were cans of pink hair color spray, pink hair extensions, pink ribbon temporary tattoos, stickers, and prizes. A special information table hosted by Raven Gates and Angelica Stokes (a GCU student) from the Visiting Nurse Association Cancer Education Early Detection Program provided helpful tips and stressed the importance of early detection in fighting all cancers.
Stats and Facts for Breast Cancer Awareness
The main event of the day, however, was the Georgian Court Breast Cancer Walk, which included eight laps around the Casino floor to represent the 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer. That fact was among many showcased on pink paper bras lining the Casino walls .
As of January 2019, there are more than 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer in the United States.
About 41,760 women in the United States are expected to die in 2019 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1989. Women under 50 have experienced larger decreases.
—Breastcancer.org
“Never Give Up”
Pink paper butterflies, ribbons, and placards were also available to offer words of support and love for people in walkers’ lives affected by breast cancer.
“Once completed, the walls of the Casino were adorned with these messages of hope and encouragement,” said Terri Sacca, RN, CSN, a member of the university’s counseling and health services team. “The event was open to the GCU community, but it was the students who really rocked the afternoon! Many thanks to all who helped make it a success in spite of the nasty weather!”
Pink ribbons will continue to blow in the wind through the month of October to remind everyone of the importance of early detection and to never give up, she said.
Story and photos contributed by Terri Sacca, RN, CSN, of Georgian Court University.
