The Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is hosting the 15th annual Night Out for Breast Cancer event in Foster Tanner today at 7 p.m. The co-sponsor of the event is the Student Government Association.
Night Out for Breast Cancer began in 1992, shortly after the death of the well-respected Lwanda Renee Henry. Since then, sponsors of Night Out for Breast Cancer have been taking extra steps to ensure that people are being informed of the effects of the disease.
Bethany Jones, president and coordinator of Night Out for Breast Cancer, said this is the perfect opportunity for those who have been affected by cancer to participate and talk about their different experiences.
“Night out for breast cancer gives us an opportunity to give those less informed information about the effects of breast cancer,” said Jones, 21, a senior biological agricultural systems engineering student from Houston.
During this year’s festivities, a multitude of performances, presentations, dances and poetry readings will take place. In addition, both cancer survivors and people who are representing Relay for Life will speak about their experiences and upcoming events. The event sponsors plan to distribute two scholarships to those who answer the essay question: “Put yourself in the shoes of a person with breast cancer. Who have you directly and indirectly affected and how?”
Although entertainment will be supplied, sponsors do not want the message to be overlooked.
Jones said this year’s events would accentuate the true meaning of how breast cancer influences those who have been subjected to the disease.
“The purpose of this event is to celebrate those who have survived cancer,” Jones said.
FAMU students are especially excited to see what this event has in store for them.
Cedric C. Roberts, 21, a fourth-year sociology student from St. Petersburg said the event will allow more women to become informed about the causes of breast cancer.
“If informative, this event can definitely raise awareness for breast cancer and give more women the knowledge needed to catch it in its early stages,” Roberts said.
Rosetta Smith, 21, a fourth-year business administration student from Gary, Ind., said that she thinks the event will also help inform students as well as faculty and people should raise money.
“I think it would be very beneficial for people because they don’t think about breast cancer in depth unless it happens to them or their family,” Smith said. “I think that there is a cure for breast cancer and raising money will help.”