Mississippi State will shed its maroon and white Tuesday and turn the campus pink as they recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Paint the Campus Pink begins Tuesday morning. The first part of the event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on “The Strip” between the Colvard Student Union and the YMCA building, according to coordinator JuLeigh Baker. Informational booths will be set up that focus on early detection, nutrition and fitness, as well as how to get involved and help, Baker said.
The second part of the event, the PINK Dawg Walk, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Chadwick Lake.
One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to The American Cancer Society. The society estimates more than 230,000 women will be diagnosed in 2014 and 40,000 women will die from the disease. Baker said the information provided Tuesday will give students tools that they can use throughout their life.
She encouraged students to attend the event, saying, “Students should attend to learn how choices they are making now can impact their cancer risk later in life, to learn how early detection is really key in beating cancer and how to learn ways to help cancer patients. Many may have a parent or grandparent that will be diagnosed while they are students here at MSU and will have information to help them as well.”
The community is encouraged to attend as well, Baker said.
“This is a great free family friendly event that people of the community can come out for to show support for those that are cancer survivors, honor those that might have lost their battle with it and to learn some great information while having fun,” she said.
Pink shirts will be given out to the first 300 attendees, Baker said. Coordinators are hopeful the shirts will be worn during Saturday’s Auburn game. MSU football players will be wearing pink for the game, Baker said.
The event is sponsored by the Department of Health Education and Wellness of MSU, Baptist Cancer Center, The Department of Recreational Sports of MSU, Gentiva Home Health & Hospice, The American Cancer Society and Sqwincher Sports Drinks. Baker said she hopes Paint the Campus Pink will become an annual event.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
