Every October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM).
And, in recognition of NBCAM, Sinclair Community College will be hosting several events throughout the month.
Kelly Vogelsong, graphics designer in Marketing at Sinclair, has helped organize the events this year.
“Pink at Sinclair is a great opportunity to get involved in raising awareness on campus and in the community as well as helping to raise money for a worthy cause,” Vogelsong said.
Most events at Sinclair will be happening on Oct. 10.
Starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., the Employee Wellness Fair will be held in Building 12.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Student Leadership Development Club Day will be held outside of Building 7, as well as the opportunity to sign up for the Dayton Breast Cancer Walk.
At 2:15 p.m. the pink balloon launch will occur.
Later in the day, the women’s volleyball team will be donning their pink uniforms in efforts to raise money for breast cancer awareness during the pink volleyball game. The game will start at 6 p.m.
Athletic Director Jack Giambrone said that raising funds for breast cancer awareness is a special focus for Sinclair Athletics.
“Over the years, Sinclair teams have raised thousands of dollars for cancer research in an attempt to find a cure,” Giambrone said. “Again this year, Sinclair athletics will raise money, raise awareness and walk in support to finding a cure for all diseases.”
The bookstore will also be selling pink items during the game and throughout the month in the store.
On Saturday, Oct. 20, the Dayton Breast Cancer Walk will be held between 8 and 10 a.m., starting at the Dayton Dragons Fifth Third Field.
Sinclair Student Ambassador Cierra Freeman said that the importance of NBCAM is immeasurable.
“I definitely think that it’s necessary for students of all ages to participate in supporting people who may have breast cancer, or people who have overcome breast cancer,” Freeman said. “You never know when it could be you, or a relative of yours.”
She said that the unity that the month provides is one of the most important messages that many people don’t grasp.
“I [believe] that this is a chance for the school to come together and be unified and support one cause together,” Freeman said. “I also think that it’s very important to participate in the walks, because that’s a visual representation of students who are there to support those individuals who have survived cancer. Definitely the walk is necessary; and for the students who can make it to that, they need to be there to show that physical support.”
October was chosen as NBCAM after 800 people participated in the first annual Race for a Cure, held in Dallas, Texas. Today, over one million people take part in the race.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women.