The University of Maryland’s Zeta Tau Alpha chapter hosted its annual Think Pink Gala on Sunday, Oct. 18, bringing together members, friends and family to raise money for breast cancer awareness and education.
The annual gala took place at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center and benefited the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation. The event featured personal stories from chapter members and a breast cancer survivor, along with a silent auction and raffle prizes to raise funds for the foundation.
Two Zeta Tau Alpha members spoke about family members and other people close to them who have been affected by breast cancer. A breast cancer survivor also shared her experience with the disease, offering attendees a firsthand perspective on its impact.
The speakers emphasized the importance of supporting people affected by breast cancer and educating others about the disease.
“Hearing these personal stories reminds us why this cause matters,” said junior government and politics major and Zeta Tau Alpha member Thara Pillai.
The gala also featured a silent auction and raffle prizes, giving attendees opportunities to contribute to the foundation’s fundraising efforts. Proceeds supported the organization’s breast cancer awareness and education philanthropy.
“It’s really meaningful to bring everyone together for such an important cause to our chapter,” Georgia Kelley, a member of the chapter’s philanthropy committee and a sophomore criminology and criminal justice major, said.
Veda Chadalavada, Zeta Tau Alpha’s vice president of philanthropy, also spoke at the event about the chapter’s philanthropic efforts and its commitment to breast cancer awareness and education.
The gala provided an opportunity for the chapter to connect its philanthropy with personal experiences while engaging the broader community. By inviting friends and family to attend, members shared the cause with people beyond their sorority.
The annual event combined fundraising with personal storytelling, allowing attendees to support the foundation while hearing from people with direct connections to breast cancer.