With October being the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Spartans campus-wide are making an effort to spread awareness and sport the color pink this fall.
One student organization that has put their foot forward to support the cause is the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Zeta hosts the ‘Think Pink’ event twice a year, putting on fun and friendly events in order to raise money for the Susan G. Komen fund and educate their fellow Spartans about breast cancer awareness.
Psychology and Communication Junior, Allison Yore is the Philanthropy Chair for the Zeta chapter and helped with the planning and organization of the event this year. Yore feels that the ‘Think Pink’ event has been successful throughout the years in informing students and recognizing Zeta. “I think it’s just as simple as a lot of students don’t know,” said Yore.
“The event has been effective, we’re recognized now on campus for passing out the pink ribbons.”
Among many other giveaways and t-shirts available for purchase at the event, Zeta is notorious for their little pink breast cancer ribbons that give your backpack or purse just the right touch.
But what does Zeta get out of all of this? Are they raking in the dough from the t-shirt sales? Of course not. The money collected from the t-shirts goes to the partnerships that help support Zeta and breast cancer awareness such as, Yoplait, the NFL and the Susan G. Komen fund.
Although breast cancer awareness is the Zeta chapter philanthropy, Yore has recognized the support that fellow Greek Life organizations have given them. “Other houses will come out to support Zeta, we had a lot of fraternities show up for the yogurt eating contest,” said Yore.
After the yogurt eating contests and 5k Runs, what’s next on Zeta’s list? The ladies will be joining the MSU Men’s Varsity Soccer team for a “pink out,” when everyone in attendance at the game wears pink, on Wednesday, October 26th. It may not be the color ever guy wants to get dirtied up in, but hey, it’s for a good cause!
Who said there’s anything wrong with a little friendly competition? Another student organization on campus the ‘Go Green Wear Pink’ fund, has teamed up with Greek life to compete against the University of Michigan’s ‘Go Blue Wear Pink’.
This is Michigan State’s first year involved in the competition, but the team is hoping to raise enough money to beat U of M and donate the most to the Susan G. Komen foundation in mid-Michigan. As the co-founder of ‘Go Green Wear Pink’, senior Kathleen Loftus has enjoyed being apart of the event this year and hopes it will turn into tradition. “Our goal is to collectively donate all proceeds to the Susan G. Komen foundation in mid-Michigan and gather breast care awareness from State students with a fun twist–beating U of M,” said Loftus.
“This is our first year participating against U of M, but I hope it will continue in the future.”
As Vice President of External Relations on the Panhellenic Council, Loftus assists in running all philanthropic Greek events and serves as the community liaison. Loftus helped prepare the ‘Go Green Wear Pink’ event at Rick’s last Wednesday, October 12. The event raised nearly $500 from cover, donations and t-shirt sales, and even the bar tenders joined in to help the cause by donating some of their tips from the night!
To learn more about how you can help support breast cancer awareness, check on ‘Go Green Wear Pink’ on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/GoGreenWearPinkand for just $10 you can score an awesome staple for your wardrobe while supporting a good cause!