Everyone’s Encouraged to Participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Week at CWU

October 15, 2009

ELLENSBURG, Wash. ⎯ Central Washington University will be hosting breast cancer awareness week from Saturday, Oct. 24 to Friday, Oct. 30. The Ellensburg community will be provided with opportunities to learn more about breast cancer research, awareness and donate to the cause.

Activities will include informational booths, an art exhibit, panel discussions, films, workshops, calendars for sale, a themed fashion show and many other events. Individuals are encouraged to attend one or more of them during the week to become more educated about this issue and learn about the importance of protection and prevention.

“The call for action and awareness of breast cancer is long overdue — everyone is affected one way or another by this pandemic,” says Anthony Peterson, Awareness Week chairperson. “We have a right to know how we can prevent, educate, and perform self examinations, which are some of our goals for this week.”

The awareness begins with a 5K fun-run. A portion of the entry fees will be donated to breast cancer research. A 16-month calendar featuring 96 young women primarily from Pac-10 schools will be for sale. It will also feature two CWU students, Sara Brand and Porsche Bennett, with all calendar proceeds going toward research.

The athletic theme will carry on through the rest of the week with a bracket-style dodge ball tournament beginning Oct. 26. Students can sign up for this event at the Recreation Center.

Individuals interested in promoting breast cancer awareness are encouraged to pick up a free T-shirt on Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. in the SURC pit. The giveaway will be followed by a panel discussion about breast cancer issues at 4 p.m.

On Oct. 27 the booths and art exhibit open for viewing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the SURC pit. This is an excellent way to learn more about breast cancer awareness. Later that evening, at 6 p.m. in Black Hall, room 151, a breast cancer-related documentary will be shown.

“This is a great opportunity for students to get involved and get educated,” says CWU student Allie Mathis. “Unfortunately, breast cancer will probably affect all of us in one way or another, so if we raise awareness, we can make a difference.”

The booths and art exhibit in the SURC pit continue Oct. 28 and are joined by live music at noon. Also at noon, a workshop on breast examinations will take place in the SURC, room 135.

The following day, at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29, join the breast cancer awareness student organizers at D&M Coffee for live music. This will be the last day the booths and art will be available for viewing.

The week culminates on the evening of Oct. 30 with a presentation from the awareness organization, Tough Enough to Wear Pink. All activities will conclude with a competitive runway fashion show featuring CWU student designs.

Breast Cancer Awareness week is sponsored by the Don and Verna Duncan Civic Engagement Center. For additional information visit www.takeactioncwu.com.

Media Contact: Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of placebound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.