There is hardly a person who has not been touched by breast cancer in some way. Whether it is a family member, friend, colleague or being diagnosed yourself, the disease has caused people from all around the country to stand up to fight and support each other.
Sinclair Community College joined this movement to make people more aware, raise money for the cure, remember the ones that have been lost due to breast cancer and support the ones who are still fighting or have survived. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death for women in America and many men are unaware that they are susceptible to the disease as well.
While there are several events going on throughout the month of October to support breast cancer awareness, the college’s main event was held on Oct. 6, in Building 8 basement level.
SLA, Sinclair Bookstore, Paralegal Club, Campus Bible Fellowship, Marketing Department, Sinclair Athletic Department, Sinclair Cheerleaders, Sinclair students, Student Leadership Development Department and the Social Work Club all participated in the event.
It started around 10 a.m. with tables decked out in pink that had information, pink gear that could be bought, cupcakes arranged as a pink ribbon and other baked goods for sale. The bookstore continued their 30 percent off sale on all pink products and for $1 students were able to get snacks.
“Basically what we wanted to do is create awareness around campus and make it affordable for the students as well,” said Brooke Obringer, merchandise coordinator of the Bookstore. “We have had a tremendous response with how many things that we have sold. The ‘save the tatas’ line has been the really big thing. Anything pink has just been flying out of our store.”
There was also a christmas tree set up with pink paper ribbons on it that had names of people who have or had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Anyone was allowed to purchase a ribbon for $1 and write theirs or someone’s name on it to remember them. All proceeds were donated to help fight the disease.
“We collected $200 to donate for a cure for cancer and on Wednesday, Oct. 13, we will be presenting a check to Rachel Zink with the American Cancer Society,” said Karen Williams, Student Leadership development specialist. “This presentation will happen before our domestic violence awareness program.”
A fashion show and cheer from the Sinclair cheerleaders followed.
“I feel honored to be able to take part in this event,” said Vanae Pate, Sinclair cheerleader. “Any and every female could get breast cancer, you just never know. We are showing support for those who are going through this and letting them know that no one is forgotten. We are hoping that they can find a cure.”
At 2 p.m. students, faculty and staff gathered in the quad in front of Building 7 to release more than 100 balloons into the air in remembrance of all of those who have or are fighting the disease. Reverend Joseph Hollaway, coordinator of Campus Bible Fellowship talked about his own experience with the disease and said a prayer before the pink balloons were let go.
“Let me share 1993, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. So we have been through this; the anguish, the heartache, the uncertainty of not knowing. Of having someone so close to you that you don’t want to lose,” he said. “You wonder about death and the loss because of this disease. We stand here today with hope, expectation, with the confidence, that we can pray, trust and seek that this does not happen to anyone else.”