Raising cancer awareness

Organizations at SCSU have been working to promote cancer awareness and support this month.

“$40,000 has been raised so far this year in the city of St. Cloud,” said Troy Shafer, Assistant Director of Health Promotion at SCSU.

Shafer said two “awareness booths” have been set up in Atwood Memorial Center this month.

There was a wheel that students could spin to gain knowledge on the subjects of testicular and breast cancer, and win prizes such as candy or cancer awareness bracelets.

Residence halls have been hosting Pink Parties this month in order to raise awareness on the subject of cancer.

“Everyone in the residence halls is asked to wear something pink whether it is pink nail polish, a pink shirt, pink socks or even pink lipstick,” Shafer said. “Students will play ‘Booby Bingo’ for education and prizes.”

The next Pink Party is scheduled for 9 p.m. on Nov. 4 in Shoemaker Hall.

The Student Health Services Department has also teamed up with Campus Recreation to coordinate fitness events for students and community members.

On Oct. 17 another event that raised awareness was “Pink for Pilates-Yoga for the Cure-Massage for Recovery.”

About 40 people attended this event.

Though the event was free, participants made over $200 in donations for breast cancer research.

“During the fitness classes, music by the artist Pink was played to continue with the theme of the day,” group fitness instructor Erin Eastman said. “When people showed up they were entered into a drawing. Three or four drawings were held, and people won pink yoga mats, pink stability balls and other prizes too.”

There was also a board where participants could post a breast cancer ribbon with their cancer story or the name of the person they were there for written on it. Others read the ribbons and shared their stories.

Eastman said that Student Health Services and a representative from the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation came to talk with and educate participants.

“They showed us fake jelly breasts with balls inside to simulate tumors. The balls were surprisingly difficult to find,” Eastman said.

Student Health Services directors also plan to talk to students in some physical education classes to educate students with cancer facts and information.

October is not the only month that the SCSU community can learn about cancer. More informational events are planned for the following months and additional information is posted on the Student Health Services Web site.