Club goes pink for cancer

During Thursday’s UU Hour, the Colleges Against Cancer club had a booth set up where they gave out information and free pink hairstyles.

The group was there to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to educate students on various aspects of the disease.

“We’ve gotten quite a few people out already,” said Bobbi Freeman, an earth science major and president of the club.

Along with pink hairstyles, the group had two fake breasts on display to show students the difference between healthy breast tissue and a breast with a suspicious lump.

“We put on monthly events to promote awareness and this is our Pink Pink Pink event for Breast Cancer Month,” said Freeman.

Freeman said Cal Poly is one of several universities in California that participates in the Colleges Against Cancer program, which is a partner of the American Cancer Society.

She said there are many more schools on the East Coast that participate. Cal Poly’s club has only had its charter for about two years.

“We want people to come out and learn about preventing cancer; we encourage everyone to volunteer,” Freeman said.

Freeman said the club focuses on four main directions: survivorship, cancer control, advocacy and Relay For Life.

Of all these, Relay For Life is the largest fundraiser for the group. The group raised about $60,000 last year.

All fundraising proceeds from the group go directly to the American Cancer Society. The club operates mostly off of donations, so they do not keep the profit for their own use.

Co-chair of the Relay For Life event Alex Cunny, a political science major, said the event is a fun one, lasting 24 hours where participants camp out on Dexter Lawn while various team members walk the course. There is an average of 60 to 80 teams participating each year.

“It’s a way for us to celebrate all the fundraising we’ve done all year,” Cunny said.

The group had pink ribbons available for students who visited the booth, as well as flyers informing people about cancer, how to fight and how to prevent it.

One of the flyers was creatively titled “Want to help save second base?” and featured facts on how students could support breast cancer research.

Tips included saving the pink lids from Yoplait yogurts and turning them into The Avenue, reminding your female family members to get yearly mammograms, and buying products that support research and educating yourself.