Written by: Cole Edwards

In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Eta Iota chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha at VSU is sponsoring month-long activities to spread awareness and raise funds for a disease that claimed nearly 40,000 women’s lives in the past year alone.

ZTA has turned the water pink in the fountain in front of West Hall for the month of October.

On Oct. 8, the sorority held a bake sale and philanthropy table on the pedestrian mall on campus which allowed students, faculty and staff members to receive valuable information regarding breast cancer as well as fill out a pink ribbon to honor someone who has or is suffering from breast cancer. The ribbons were later attached to a banner and displayed at last Saturday’s football game under the slogan “Who Do You Think Pink For?”

“We are always thinking pink and want the rest of the campus to do so as well,” said Isabella Lugo, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. “One in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime so it’s important we get the word out.”

Under the lead of Zeta President Madison Beaumarchais, ZTU has a philanthropy table set up every Wednesday of October in front of Odum Library to provide information to students regarding breast cancer as well has to hand out pink ribbons, information pamphlets and shower cards and accept donations.

ZTA hosted their 17^th Annual Big Man On Campus male beauty pageant on Oct. 9 in Mathis Auditorium in which each IFC and CPC sorority entered a male contestant. Participants were rated on their formal wear, talent and onstage question while attendees came “pinked out” for the silent auction that featured items and gift certificates donated from area boutiques and restaurants.

ZTA member Isabella Lugo reported that this year’s BMOC event rose over $9,000 from ticket sales, donations, the silent auction and T-shirt sales.

ZTA also “pinked out” during Saturday’s football game against the University of West Georgia by wearing and selling pink T-shirts as well as passing out pink ribbons and information pamphlets regarding breast cancer awareness to attendees of the game.

Proceeds from all of ZTA activities throughout the month of October go towards breast cancer awareness and education programs. The sorority has also placed signs around campus to highlight little-known facts regarding breast cancer for students to read as they head to and from class.

The ladies of ZTA hope their endeavors encourage all women ages 20-39 to perform monthly breast self-examinations and have clinical breast exams at least every three years while women over the age of 40 should have annual clinical exams and mammograms.

Education and awareness for breast cancer are the national philanthropy for Zeta Tau Alpha, and the sorority raises money for breast cancer research all year long, though their main focus is in October.

The past two years have seen ZTA members collectively raise over $6 million for research as well as hand out 19 million ribbons on campuses across the nation.

Madison Beaumarchais, president of the Eta Iota chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha and a senior marketing major, and Elizabeth Farrell, vice president of the chapter and a junior public relations major, cited breast cancer awareness as important causes to them as 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease at least once during their lifetime.

Zeta Tau Alpha encourages women to sign up at http://www.takechargethinkpink.com to receive reminders about mammograms and self-check exams.

L-R: Larsen Weltz, Allyson Peterson, Laura Harmon, Allyson Smith, Parker Heil, Alyssa McClain, Haley Tidwell, Emily Cotten, Emily Aaron at the philanthropy table at the pink out game selling pink items, taking donations, and handing out shower cards and pamphlets.

 L-R: Krysta Stiffler, Mr. BMOC 2014 representing Pi Kappa Phi, and Allison Martin at the Big Man on Campus event.  Krysta and Allison were BMOC chairs and they did an amazing job planning the event.  Zeta Tau Alpha raised over $9,000 at the event!

 L-R: Caitlin Ray, Vicky Ostapski, and Isabella Lugo at the Big Man on Campus Event.

 Zeta Tau Alpha Chapter at the annual Pink Out game.