In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, pink bows, bracelets and ribbons are for sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a contact table in Plemmons Student Union.

by DEEANNA HANEY
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

Many Appalachian State University students will reject the typical black and gold and don pink this week to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

According to nbcam.org, other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women.

Appalachian’s Women’s Center is hosting “Breast Fest,” a week of programs and activities aimed at raising money, educating students and raising awareness for breast cancer.

The event began Monday and will end Friday.

“Bows for Breasts” can be purchased at a contact table in Plemmons Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Volunteers are selling pink bracelets, bows and ribbons in preparation for Pink Bow Day Friday, when students are encouraged to wear pink to show support.

Natalie A. Fullam, freshman secondary English major, is the Women’s Center Breast Cancer Awareness chair.

“We want everyone to wear their pink bows and everything that they possibly own that’s pink and just completely deck themselves out,” Fullam said.

All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Watauga Oncology Wig Bank for the purchase of wigs.

Proceeds will also benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, helping women pay for screenings and treatment.

Appalachian and the Community Together Service Learning Coordinator Shari L. Galiardi is participating in the 39-mile Avon Walk in Charlotte this weekend.

“I turned 40 this year and thought, ‘What better thing to do than to walk nearly 40 miles on my 40th birthday?’” she said.

For 16 weeks, Galiardi has been walking three to five miles and engaging in strength training and endurance walks that have become more challenging with each passing week.

As of press time, the farthest she has walked is 32 miles and credits her inspiration to breast cancer survivors.

She has raised nearly $4,400, surpassing her original goal of $1,800.

Fullam, who is supporting the cause by dyeing her hair pink, believes raising breast cancer awareness is important.

“It’s a disease that didn’t really exist in the 1940s,” Fullam said. “It didn’t really exist 60 years ago and now it’s becoming a huge killer of women. It’s a big deal no matter what age you are.”

Each day of Breast Fest has been dedicated to a different event, including Tuesday’s “Girl’s Night In” and the annual “Fit Your Ta-Tas” on Wednesday, in which students were fitted for the correct bra size.

“Our programs are fun and knowledgeable at the same time,” Haley J. Jones, Women’s Center volunteer and sophomore criminal justice major said.

Each event has stressed the importance of breast self-examinations and the fact that breast cancer is “not just your mother’s disease,” but a disease that can affect anyone, Fullam said.

Photo by Rachel Noel  |  The Appalachian

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