Softball, 5K run aid breast cancer fund
Jayhawks observe breast cancer awareness week with charity events
The Jayhawk Pink Classic softball tournament already brought in $5,000, and the Oct. 7 5K Run/Walk will wrap up the week. All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
By Dylan Sands
Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007
Pink ribbons abound this week as students observe Breast Cancer Awareness Week. The Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center is offering several events to give students the opportunity to benefit breast cancer research.
Stefani Gerson, Overland Park graduate student and intern at the center, coordinated a breast cancer awareness committee. She said she and other members of the committee had been affected by loved ones dealing with breast cancer.
“When you’re passionate about something, you want to do it right,” Gerson said. “I wanted to make it as big as possible, a massive event. I just kind of blew it up.”
“I know most students don’t have a lot of money, and they might not be able to donate,” she said. “But it can help just to attend all of the events.”
Last year, the center reached its goal of raising $1,200 to benefit breast cancer research. This year, Gerson said she wanted to set the bar higher. Her committee already has received more than $5,000 from its first event.
The money raised so far has come strictly from donations made during the first Jayhawk Pink Classic softball tournament, which was held on Saturday and Sunday. The Kansas softball team played Emporia State, Iowa Central and Washburn at Arrocha Ballpark. Players wore pink hair bands and arm bands, and the bases were colored pink to echo the pink ribbon symbol that has come to represent breast cancer awareness.
On Wednesday, the committee will give students the opportunity to get their portraits taken with a pink backdrop for a small donation during an event they call Picture Perfect Pink. The pictures will be taken on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union.
The second annual Jayhawk 5K Run/Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness will wrap up the week’s events on Sunday, Oct. 7. Participants can register before the race at www.myappleku.com. Offline registration will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and the race will begin at 2 p.m. at the Burge Union.
Jessie Fetterling/KANSAN Julie Cowden, Lawrence, speaks about her battle with breast cancer while Sarah Watts, Lawrence, left, and Nicole Huffman, Lawrence, middle, look on. These three women were part of a four-person panel speaking about Breast Cancer Awareness in Alderson Auditorium Monday night.
Participants will get the opportunity to win prizes donated by Apple and free sports massages after the race. The organizers request a donation of $5 to participate in the race, and T-shirts will be available for an additional $5. All proceeds from Breast Cancer Awareness Week will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a network of breast cancer survivors dedicated to contributing to breast cancer research.
According to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Web site, there are more than 2 million women living in the United States who have been treated for breast cancer. This year 40,460 women will die from the disease.
Tiffany Spriggs, Princeton, W.Va., graduate student and awareness committee member, said students could show their support in other ways aside from donating money.
“I know most students don’t have a lot of money, and they might not be able to donate,” she said. “But it can help just to attend all of the events.”
Will Sellers, Sterling, Va., senior, said students should take the opportunity to support those dealing with the common disease. He agreed that donating money was not the only way to help.
“Just show you care by coming out to events and wearing the ribbons,” Sellers said.
— Edited by Tara Smith
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