In hopes of spreading the word for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, two Student Government committees worked together to host Pack 4 Pink Friday.
The Community Service Commission and the Diversity Commission intended to raise $300 at the event. Money was raised through sales of pink t-shirts for $5 and the chance to sign a banner with the name of a cancer victim for $0.50. Apart from a talk by faculty member Mindy Sopher, who has beat breast cancer four times, attendees were entertained by on-campus musical acts and performers.
Sopher said the key to living with cancer, and to helping those affected, is the right attitude. Positivity trumps all in the fight against cancer, according to Sopher. She was surprised when she found out she had contracted the disease a third and then a fourth time.
“I only have two, but for some reason [cancer] decided to come back for a third time,” Sopher said jokingly.
Community Service Commission Co-Chair Camille Smith said collaboration with organizations across campus was key to planning the event.
“We got a lot of our stuff for free. Theta Chi provided us our platform. Source, IRC and UAB let us borrow the speakers. We really appreciate the collaboration that has happened between different organizations on campus,” Smith said.
Smith said the event ended up raising around $170, all of which went to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to fund cancer research.
It was very impressive that Sopher survived cancer four times, according to Smith.
“It’s incredible. I love Ms. Sopher. Everyone loves her,” Smith said.
Kornelius Bascombe, a senior in sociology, emceed the event, which was not his first on Harris Field this semester.
“My mission out here is to raise breast cancer awareness, and to show people that you can have a good time and at the same time learn about breast cancer,” Bascombe said.
Bascombe has been balancing his on-campus volunteer work with his new T.V. talk show. Called “Born to Shine,” it premiered on Time Warner Cable’s Entertainment on Demand Oct. 18. The show is available nationally.
“It’s cool to be a student volunteering here at N.C. State, while also having the opportunity to host a talk show that can be seen across the country,” Bascombe said.
Senior in criminology Devon Day was in attendance to support one of his fraternity brothers who was playing in a band.
“I had an aunt that had breast cancer; she won her battle. I’m glad that the University as a whole is actually taking action toward awareness and trying to go along with other organizations of the same size. I’m glad we can be a part of it,” Day said.
Michael Atkins, a junior in political science and sociology, was at a Student Government tent helping with the logistical side of event operation.
“We made the shirts ourselves. They are really cheap. We used tie-dye and put the logo for the event on front,” Atkins said.
Atkins said he hoped the event would be a jumping-off point for similar actions around campus.
When Sopher passed around a leaflet called “Helpful hints for helpers: Caring for people with
