Breast Cancer Awareness Month Arrives at Sweet Briar
By PJ Peek ’12
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Image courtesy of kickitback.com
This October, Sweet Briar College will mark the 25th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual, national event that spreads awareness about issues surrounding breast cancer. Breast cancer has become synonymous with the color pink, however, a new term has developed in the marketing world that has hit the main stream: ‘pinking.’
According to Natasha Singer of the New York Times “In marketing circles, “to pink” means to link a brand or a product or, in one case, even the entire National Football League to one of the most successful charity campaigns of all time. Like it or not — and some people don’t like it at all — the pinking of America has become a multibillion-dollar business, a marketing, merchandising and fund-raising opportunity that is almost unrivaled in scope.”
To ‘Pink,’ ‘Pinking,’ or ‘Pinked’ has become a popular phrase encompassing the wide range of products, from jackets to skis, from umbrellas to shoes, that are promoted for breast cancer awareness. The ‘Pink’ campaign’s efforts have gone mainstream as they remind society of breast cancer’s effects. Nationally, the American Cancer Society, and Susan G. Komen Foundation celebrate survivors, and promote breast cancer awareness for women of all ages, especially those over 40.
At Sweet Briar, the Sweet PEA’s, a student health organization, are sponsoring an event where clubs and individuals can decorate a bra in recognition of breast cancer awareness, and each bra will have a corresponding bag in which the community can place their change. According to Sweet PEA Melissa Clough ’ 12, “The change drive proceeds will be used to purchase mammograms for women in the local area who cannot afford them.”
Such efforts are vital to raising awareness of breast cancer on campus, and nationally. The American Cancer Society reports that approximately 230,480 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, 57,650 cases of non-invasive will be found in women, and 39,520 women will die from the cancer in the year 2011. Given that almost 328,000 women will be affected, it follows logically that the nation would increase efforts to celebrate survivors, promote awareness, and advise women in what steps can be taken to prevent cancer – such as limiting alcohol consumption, regular exercise, as well as regular screening.
The Sweet Peas are hosting several events this month. Photo by Jennifer Will ‘13.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1982 and since then has become one of the most popular grass roots breast cancer foundations. Susan G. Komen lost her breast cancer fight, prompting her sister to found the Komen Race for the Cure, as well as the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This organization has “evolved into the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.”
Like the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen also promotes early detection by more women screening earlier for any detection. Also, the two organizations inspire hope, by donating funds to cancer researchers, and thus saving more lives long term.
On campus, wearing pink may be something more than a Sweet Briar color, it also represents the thousands who have been affected by breast cancer and the research going on to finding a cure. This month, the nation is wrapped up in the feminine color to promote awareness and inspire those who are fighting or have survived. By participating in the SweetPEAs Bra Decorating Contest, students advocate for awareness. The event will be followed by a modest runway show that will feature speaker Christie Eubank, a breast cancer survivor. For more information about breast cancer awareness, see www.cancer.org.
Contact PJ Peek at peek12@sbc.edu with any questions or comments.
