TIGER TV ONLINE REPORTER
Zeta Tau Alpha sorority is holding special events and teaming up with top companies to promote awareness about the fight against breast cancer, the sorority’s chosen philanthropy.
ZTA is working to spread the word by handing out Think Pink ribbons and self breast exam shower cards in free speech alley every week of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to remind women to do monthly checks.
“Early detection can play a major role in saving lives, so by giving out pink ribbons and shower cards we believe we can directly help save a life,” ZTA president Leah Stevens said.
A couple weeks ago Zeta’s from around Louisiana distributed pink ribbons at the Saints game in New Orleans to promote awareness.
In another corporate partnership, Tuesday October 27, 2009, ZTA will hold a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen to raise money and awareness for the cause. By bringing the “Think Pink at CPK” flier and attaching it to the bill, CPK will donate 20 percent of each ticket to the cause.
ZTA also held its annual “Pinktoberfest” yogurt eating competition at the house last week in an effort to collect pink Yoplait yogurt lids.
“We had a great turn out from the LSU community and the event was a huge success, collecting almost 900 lids,” Stevens said.
ZTA has estimated a total collection of 1,000 lids so far. The sorority hopes to beat last year’s total of 6,659 lids by collecting 9,000 by December.
“Our LSU chapter is in a competition with the ZTA chapter at University of Tennessee, and we hope to collect more than ever before,” Stevens said.
The sorority is currently selling “A Taste of Hope, A Cookbook for Courage” cookbooks to raise money for the cause and will hold its annual Zeta 300 bowling tournament at Circle Bowl on November 1, 2009. Attending LSU students and members of the community will form teams and bowl to ‘strike out breast cancer, one pin at a time.’ Zeta hopes to have at least 90 teams register for the event.
ZTA has partnered with companies such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Yoplait, the NFL, and Self Magazine to help the cause remain supported. Stevens said breast cancer awareness and education has risen to the focus of the public eye.
“The cause has become increasingly well known due to the seriousness in the nature of the disease and the support from national organizations and celebrities,” Stevens said.
Zeta’s support doesn’t stop in the fall. In the spring, the University’s ZTA chapter holds its annual Pancake Breakfast to raise money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Last year this was a 12-hour event lasting from midnight until noon the next day.
“This spring should be just as great!” Stevens said of the event.
ZTA also coordinates with LSU sports teams to aid in the fight against breast cancer. For two years Zeta has worked to raise money for Foundation 56 with the LSU Gymnastics team for their Pink Out Meet. This year the sorority was also able to help the LSU Soccer team with their Pink game.
“One of our members even cut her hair on the field for Locks of Love during half time!” Stevens said.
Also during the spring, Zeta will distribute items at the survivors tent at Race for the Cure and arrive early to help set up.
All of these activities and efforts illustrate how important the fight against breast cancer is to ZTA and all of its members.
“We are women aiding in a women’s fight and nothing is more important,” Stevens said. “We are honored to have the opportunity to work directly with many survivors and their thanks and appreciation for this knowledge gives enough encouragement to last a lifetime.”
