October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Student Government Association is participating in the nationwide campaign.
The Office of the Surgeon General at Florida A&M University will be hosting a Pink Tie Ball to help raise money for the cause on Oct. 26.
Surgeon General at FAMU Cortney Surrency said the idea for a ball struck her when she began delving into issues she was interested in pursuing as surgeon general.
“I wanted to help on a larger scale, to do something really big, involving the whole community in this night of dinner and dancing,” Surrency said.
A hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Angie Lindsey, the executive director of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation said the organization is dedicated to finding a cure for the disease. Lindsey also said that Komen’s sister, Nancy Brinker, established the organization in memory of her sister who died from the disease.
“We rely on these types of events heavily to help get the message out that early prevention is the best protection,” Lindsey said.
According to a cancer specialist from the American Cancer Society 40,000 women will die of breast cancer this year. Important factors in fighting the disease are prevention and awareness.
Jennifer Harrison-Hauer, FAMU’s health educator, explained that 180,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and a disproportionate number of them will be black.
A large number of black women are succumbing to the disease due to late diagnosis or inadequate healthcare, Harrison-Hauer added.
Various members of the Tallahassee community have been invited to the Ball.
Gov. Charlie Crist, state representatives, as well as FAMU’s president James Ammons, faculty of the university, and breast cancer survivors have received invitations.
Attendees will be adorned in some form of pink attire and a check will be presented to a representative from the foundation afterward.
The evening will consist of a dinner, dancing, and a silent auction.
Many different companies have donated things like gift cards and pink colored appliances to be bid on.
Students are encouraged to attend and the first one hundred will get in free.
SGA is encouraging students to wear pink on Oct. 26, Passionately Pink Day.
Luminaries, which are pink ribbon shaped bags decorated with lights, will be sold on the Set to help raise money for breast cancer awareness as well.
There will be information on how to give breast self-exams and pamphlets on breast cancer prevention and awareness available.