Members of University Students Against Cancer occupied the Diag yesterday with thoughts of the estimated 43,000 women who will lose their lives this year to breast cancer on their minds.
They passed out pink ribbons and breast self-exam cards on the Diag to promote a month dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer and to increase knowledge of the disease and its effects on both men and women.
"We want to get the word out that breast cancer is a prevalent disease, and that people need to be tuned in to their bodies early so that they can be aware of any illness later on," said Christie Wiles, an LSA sophomore and co-chair for USAC's cancer awareness.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, according to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization.
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| SAM HOLLENSHEAD/Daily LSA junior Julie Blaszak pins a pink ribbon on LSA sophomore Collette Dowdy yesterday in the Diag as a part of Cancer Awareness Day. |
"USAC's main goal in handing out the ribbons and cards is to raise awareness of breast cancer as a leading cause of death. It is important that students understand the disease and also know ways to prevent it," Blaszak said.
This year, USAC also targeted men in its campaign to raise awareness. On one side, cards contained instructions for self breast examinations for women and on the other side it had directions for testicular self-exams for men.
Blaszak said USAC believes men should be knowledgeable about breast cancer because it can affect the women they know.
"In past years it would only be females that would want the information and the pink ribbon that we hand out. Men would shy away from it, believing that they weren't affected. But every male has a mother, grandmother, sister or girlfriend who could potentially be affected," Blaszak said.
Business junior Aditya Gupta said all men should be aware of breast cancer.
"If a man doesn't know anything about breast cancer, he won't know what to do if his wife or child were to get the disease," Gupta said.
LSA sophomore student Lauren Malta said she is glad that students distribute ribbons and information.
"Breast cancer is becoming a growing concern, and women must learn how to take care of themselves," Malta said.
Handing out ribbons is an annual event for USAC, which formed in 1989 and has about 100 members. Not every member has been personally affected by cancer.
"People in USAC come from all kinds of backgrounds. We are able to reach a lot of people," said USAC Vice President Jennifer DeCapua, an LSA junior.
Around 1:30 p.m. yesterday, after five hours of distribution, the nearly 4,000 ribbons and cards had run out.
"People have been very responsive to us. Not many people say that they don't want a ribbon," DeCapua said.
USAC runs many other programs throughout the school year. In September, the members held a meal-skip, asking students to donate their meals in the residence halls to raise money for equipment that will be used in the University Cancer Center at University Hospitals.
10-20-99
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