By Sachi Bhati ’18, Contributor
One in every eight women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. That makes about 232,670 new cases of breast cancer in 2014 alone. Of those 232,670 cases, about 40,000 of them are fatal. To help this cause, Megan Campbell ‘16 created the Breast Cancer Awareness Club. This club raises money to give to the Cris Collinsworth Pink Ribbon Foundation.
The Cris Collinsworth Pink Ribbon Foundation promotes breast cancer awareness and education throughout the year, offers access to early breast cancer detection services, and provides support and comfort throughout a patient’s healing journey. Some Pink Ribbon programs include the Mammogram Match, Cruisin’ for a Cure, the Pink Ribbon Bag, and the Pink Ribbon Empowerment Program. The Mammogram Match provides free mammograms and other breast health services to eligible patients. Cruisin’ for a Cure transports patients to appointments at the ProScan Pink Ribbon Centers. The Pink Ribbon Bag is a complimentary gift to the newly diagnosed patients. The Pink Ribbon Empowerment Program educates the community on the importance of breast health.
Throughout the year, this club will have bake sales, pizza sales, and is planning a penny war later in the month. Campbell started out with the intention to raise money to send to the Cris Collinsworth Pink Ribbon Foundation, but soon realized that she needed help coming up with ideas, raising the money, and baking the goods. Although she wishes she had free bells all day so she could do more to help the cause, she doesn’t, so with the help of a club she is able to do a lot more than before. After starting the club and getting the input from members she is able to raise more money than before. Campbell explained, “I think that breast cancer is a big thing, to all women. It’s something that is a constant fear. I personally have had family members that had breast cancer so there is always that feeling against it when it affects someone close to you. I just think it’s a good way to help out.”
So far, the club has one big planned event, a tea party that took place on Saturday, the 18th of October. Being a first year club, Campbell had hoped that they would raise at least $500, but with the way things were going leading up to the event, she believed that they will be able to raise at least $1,000, maybe even more. So how can the community get involved? Well, Campbell says that all donations are accepted and appreciated. If you can’t donate your money but are able to donate your time and love to cook, bring something for their next bake sale. A few adults are in the club, so it is available for anyone to join. Club members can get service hours for their participation in the club.
“The Pink Ribbon Women’s Breast Health and Support Services.” The Pink Ribbon Women’s Breast Health and Support Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.
Photo credits: “Wake Radiology Charitable Giving – Wake Radiology.” Wake Radiology. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.
