October is undoubtedly one of the best months of the year, regardless of what your favorite season is! UTM’s homecoming festivities, falling leaves, cool, crisp air and all of the pumpkin spice flavored treats you could want! But for ZTAs and millions of people across the nation, it’s the absolute best time of the year because October is Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Month! Breast Cancer Awareness is Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity’s national philanthropy, and every October, Zetas put forth their best effort to raise money and awareness about breast cancer so women and men across the country can learn about early detection of breast cancer and learn more about the disease that 1 in 8 women will develop. That means that even if you are fortunate enough to have never experienced the devastation of cancer first hand, you probably know someone who has.
ZTA chose Breast Cancer Education and Awareness as their national philanthropy in 1992, so this year Zeta is celebrating 25 years of contributing to the noble cause of searching for an end to cancer and supporting the fighters and survivors of breast cancer. Think Pink is more than a ribbon; it’s the mission of hundreds of thousands of ZTAs. Zeta pursues spreading awareness and education of breast cancer through the philanthropy work of 252 chapters and 3 national partners. Zeta Tau Alpha has partnered with the American Cancer Society to host the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, the National Football League to help pass out pink ribbons and spread awareness, and so far Zeta has passed out more than 19 million ribbons! ZTA also partners with Bright Pink to spread education about breast cancer and how to detect it. The ZTA foundation has raised millions of dollars for breast cancer awareness and education since 1992 and will continue to do this until pink is just another color.
To help the cause of Breast Cancer Education and Awareness, the ZTA chapter at UTM will be hosting their annual Think Pink Week from October 23 to the 27! ZTA hosts Think Pink Week to help spread awareness about breast cancer to college women and to help raise money to donate to the ZTA Foundation. The main event will be Chacos and Tacos on the 24th from 5 to 7 p.m.! Tickets are 5 dollars and can be bought from any Zeta member, and the event will be held at the Martin Recreational Pavilion. ZTA will also have a booth in the UC selling Pink Lemonade for a dollar and Skyhawks Think Pink buttons for 2 dollars! Fraternity and sorority houses will also have the chance to compete in ZTA’s annual “Pink Out” house decorating competition with a banner competition and prizes for each division! On the 26th there will be a service night where ZTA will be making blankets and cards for breast cancer patients. Service night is open to all sororities and fraternities to attend, and the entrance fee will only be 1 dollar. There are so many fun activities to help support an end to breast cancer and to support the fighters and survivors, and ZTA encourages everyone on campus to participate! Help ZTA make this an October to remember!
Photo courtesy of the Delta Mu chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha at UTM.