Student Wellness Program fights second leading cause of death for women
In light of breast cancer awareness month, CU hosted a rally on Wednesday to jumpstart the month.
Various companies located in Boulder and hosted by CU’s Student Wellness Program sponsored the event in the UMC. It included an informational session about mammograms by Boulder Community Hospital, painting plates in memory of breast cancer victims and readings about breast cancer from the Student Wellness Program information table.
“We think this is very important, because breast cancer is currently the second leading cause of death for women,” said Erin Frazier, a representative for CU’s communication relations.
Coordinator of the Student Wellness Program, Crystal Lenz, a fifth-year MCD biology and integrative physiology major, said it is important to teach college-aged women how to detect breast cancer early.
According to the Student Wellness Program information table, the sooner breast cancer is detected the better.
“We want to reach as many people as possible and educate them. There is going to be a huge pink trailer with information, and they will be giving away free stuff,” Lenz said. “Free stuff always grabs people’s attention.”
Most of the students who attended this event said they had a personal experience with breast cancer.
“My grandmother had breast cancer, and I wasn’t able to be with her when she was sick,” said Suny Gao, a junior media studies major, while painting a plate in remembrance of her grandmother.
Frazier said the plate painting was particularly important at this event because it was an opportunity for students to visually express their emotions for someone who is either a survivor or who has passed away from breast cancer.
Others simply came to support CU in its efforts to raise student awareness.
“I volunteer at a women’s resource center. I don’t know anyone personally that died of breast cancer, but I am interested in the subject,” said Kalie Midcap, a junior psychology major. “It’s such a vital part of women’s health.”
Men were also encouraged to participate in the upcoming month.
Frazier said 2,000 men are expected to die of the disease in the upcoming year. For women, she said the estimated number was 200,000.
The student wellness center will be providing information about breast cancer awareness every week during the month of October in hopes to reach as many people as possible.
“(Breast cancer) is everywhere you look,” said Lenz.
