By Michelle Lampariello
Staff Writer
Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) sorority’s Pink Out Week united the College community in an effort to end breast cancer and raise funds for the cause. All week long, students were spotted walking around campus with pink ribbons pinned to their backpacks. Even the water in the Science Complex fountain was dyed pink as a show of support.
Pink Out Week, which lasted from Monday, Sept. 26, to Sunday, Oct. 2, included various events and fundraisers, all of which aimed to raise awareness for breast cancer and educate the College community on the prominent disease.
The fundraising goal for the week was set at $10,000. All proceeds raised will be donated to further breast cancer research and support current breast cancer patients, according to Morgan Johnston, ZTA member and a junior urban elementary education and iSTEM double major.
Pink Out Week kicked off with a cupcake giveaway and T-shirt sale in Eickhoff Hall. The sisters also gave out pink ribbons that represented the sorority’s commitment to supporting breast cancer victims. The next day, ZTA swapped out cupcakes for smoothies and continued to sell T-shirts in the Brower Student Center.
ZTA worked with the Bright Pink Foundation on Wednesday, Sept. 28, for an educational session called Breast Cancer Basics. The event focused on the signs of breast cancer and how students can learn to protect themselves by identifying the disease in its early stages.
A pink pumpkin painting event was held in Eickhoff Hall on Friday, Sept. 30, despite the rain.
“The pink pumpkin painting is my favorite event,” Johnston said. “I like how it ties in Halloween and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, since they’re both in October.”
Rain did not stop the final and largest event of the week, Pink Party. On Sunday, Oct. 2, the Decker Social Space was transformed into a festive gathering for students and other supporters to celebrate the sorority’s weeklong efforts to end breast cancer.
Complete with pink balloon arches, music and even a few dogs, Pink Party reflected ZTA’s pride in its philanthropy and the sisters’ dedication to educating others about breast cancer.
“The pink party is my favorite event because it’s our biggest,” said Audrey Heylmann, a ZTA member and junior psychology major. “We get a good turnout from other organizations.”
In addition to its T-shirt sale throughout the week, the sorority partnered with Deli on a Bagel Café in Pennington, N.J., to raise additional funds for the cause. Donations and proceeds from the Deli on a Bagel fundraiser were a key component in helping the sisters of ZTA reach their fundraising goal.
“Breast cancer is a personal cause for some our sisters. I know that more than five have been affected,” said Catarina Ribeira, ZTA treasurer and junior elementary education and iSTEM double major. “I am so proud to be a part of an organization that is so passionate about a cause I hold close to my own heart.”
