The stage was lit. Bright beams contrasted with the dimness of light in the audience. The people that filled the rows of chairs in the audience were silent. The audience had their eyes fixed on the stage as Sarah Holliday, alumnae of LSU, talked about her battle against breast cancer.
Holliday was diagnosed on Oct. 2, 2013. She has undergone six treatments of chemotherapy and 33 treatments of radiation.
“People need to hear of survival stories,” Holliday said. “Because you’ll know that this is real.”
Holliday was just one of three speakers who gave testimony about their experiences with breast cancer at the first annual Real Men Wear Pink fashion show.
The event was held Wednesday, Oct. 8 in the LSU Union Royal Cotillion Ballroom. It was put on by the LSU service organization You Got Served.
About $1000 was raised by the approximate 215 people that attended. These proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society, You Got Served President Jian Massucco said.
According to Justin Daws, LSU junior and executive director of Relay for Life, representatives from the University’s American Cancer Society were awed by the success of the event.
“We’ve been blown away by the outcome and the support and just ultimately the stories we are hearing,” Daws said. “Because the stories are the things you’re going to go home with and it’s going to be stuck in your mind.”
This is the biggest initiative the club has taken to bring about breast cancer awareness, Jian said.
“This year we decided to take it to the next level,” Jian said.
Through the four rounds of casual, sporty, dressy and finale attire, the event showcased clothes from businesses like Fraternity Collection, Southern Marsh, Tiger People Clothiers, Banana Republic, The Standard Apartment and Massey’s Outfitters. Raising Cane’s provided a gift basket and Massey’s Outfitters donated a gift card which were awarded to raffle prize winners, Jian said.
There were 30 models that participated in the show included LSU students and athletes, as well as Baton Rouge High School faculty. New York performer “Dancing” Dan Rue, 25, even took a flight to Atlanta and then drove 524 miles to Baton Rouge for the event.
“I mean of course,” Rue said. “Ya know who wouldn’t want to do something for breast cancer? I definitely support it 100 percent.”
It was a night of awareness, sponsorship and community outreach. The event attracted people of varying ages to observe the cause.
“Our success rate after Real Men Wear Pink is at its peak,” Jian said. “It’s at 100 percent and we’re looking to excel even more.”
The club was approved by LSU on Sept. 15, Jian said. Jian created this club when she was a sophomore at Baton Rouge High School.
Jil Massucco, Jian’s mother, is a community activist, Grassroots organizer, philanthropist and immigrant writer for the state of Louisiana. The community service she participated in inspired Jian to create You Got Served, Jil said. Jian often refers to Jil as “the founding mother” of You Got Served.
This year Jian wanted to start an LSU chapter, Jil said.
Ever since the club became official, members have been working to pull off the event, Jian said.
This meant long meetings that did not end until 2 a.m. and making sure members got the word out about the event, Jian said.
The club was created to get her friends engaged, to help them understand the values of community service, and to look beyond just doing things for themselves, Jian said.
You Got Served participates in and holds many other service events that benefit impoverished areas or even victims of natural disasters.
After a typhoon hit Japan, You Got served donated 342 shoes to the people affected. Likewise, through their event Read to Achieve and Succeed book drive, members raised books for children in less fortunate daycares, Jian said.
The Real Men Wear Pink fashion show was only the kickoff event for this new LSU service organization, Jian said.
“Being able to see what caliber of event we were able to have today,” Jian said. “I am excited to see what we have in the future.”
A Night of Awareness
October 15, 2014
Madison Shuetz, LSU freshman, talks about her grandfather who battled breast cancer.
More to Discover
