October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the Georgetown University Breast Cancer Outreach is doing its part to promote awareness of the disease.
“This year the organization launched our THINK PINK advertising campaign,” organization president, Jennifer Paragallo (MSB ’04) said. The campaign is supported by the sale of THINK PINK T-shirts, which are available in the Leavey Center for $10.
Also, the Breast Cancer Outreach is selling raffle tickets for $2 each to raise money for breast cancer research. Prizes include a new Coach handbag, brunch for four at Tony and Joe’s and gift certificates to many local vendors such as Ann Taylor Loft, the Georgetown Running Company, Twist, Pizzeria Uno and Old Glory.
All proceeds will go to either the Lombardi Cancer Center or another local breast cancer clinic.
Although much of the Breast Cancer Outreach’s efforts are directed toward fund-raising this month, it also plans to increase awareness of breast cancer prevention by making information about breast cancer more easily available to students.
“Prevention is the best way to succeed against the disease,” Paragallo said. The Breast Cancer Outreach is distributing fact sheets about breast cancer prevention, shower cards that explain how to perform breast health exams, ribbons and other information on breast cancer that the hospital offers.
“Students can help by reminding their mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters, and friends to get mammograms,” Paragallo said. “They are the best preventative measure discovered thus far, and women should consider getting them starting at the age of 25.”
The Breast Cancer Outreach plans to continue their efforts to raise funds and to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Planned events include volunteering at the Ourisman Breast Health Center in the Lombardi Cancer Center and partnering to promote GU Lunafest, a women’s movie festival in November with all funds going to the Breast Cancer Fund.