Vanguard

Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: Lifestyles

In efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer and gather support for a cure, the colorful Susan-G.-Komen-for-the-Cure cruiser made an appearance on campus Oct. 3 from 9 - 3 p.m., providing USA students with an interactive breast cancer learning environment.

Interested participants learned the importance of breast self-examinations, practiced their knowledge through small tests and gathered tips on how to get involved in the global breast cancer movement using an online instructional guide.

Komen On the Go is a community education-and-outreach tour specifically designed to engage all generations in the fight against breast cancer. Students and faculty who entered the Komen-on-the-Go cruiser simply sat at computer stations and listened to an estimated 10 minute interactive Web site to obtain more knowledge about breast cancer.

"I learned facts that I never even knew in about 10 minutes," freshman Brittany Schon said. "It was shocking to find out that breast cancer is a disease that will be diagnosed in women once every three minutes this year in the United States alone."
Komen on the Go team member Nick Blake also feels the tour is informative and beneficial to everyone.

"The tour is definitely a very important tool because it reaches out to the age level that thinks breast cancer doesn't affect them," Blake said. "When it comes down to it, breast cancer affects all of us, whether it may be men, women, an uncle, a mother or your best friend that has it."

Due to the span of people breast cancer affects, the Komen for the Cure team designs goods to give to people once they have completed the interactive computer guide. In addition to pajamas, pink stuffed animals and one ipod shuffle given to one person at the end of the day, Komen for the Cure designs promise rings to tie survivors and their loved ones together.

"We do promise rings to expose the general public to breast cancer awareness so the impact does not go away," Blake said.
The promise ring was originally an idea created by Komen for the Cure's founder, Nancy G. Brinker. Brinker lost her sister to breast cancer, but made her a promise to end breast cancer forever before her sister's death. That promise lead to the creation of Komen for the Cure, and eventually the promise ring which seeks to "end breast cancer forever and fight for those facing the disease" according to the Komen for the Cure website.

Today, Komen on the Go visits nearly 150 community events and college campuses and is currently in its fourth year of touring local areas and states across the nation. So far, 125 affiliates have been recruited to be a local voice for their community. Money to create and sponsor the tour is made possible primarily through company and personal donations.

To learn more about Komen for the Cure, visit http://www.komen.org, or wait for another pink cruiser to make a stop near you.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools