During October, students walking across campus encountered tables of pink ribbons and pink lights spotlighting the church and lighting the way through the Quad towards the Oreo.

This month the University took part in commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness month. From the Health and Wellness Center to Greek life, both the students and staff took measures to increase awareness about the all-too-common illness.

One of the two main organizers of on-campus awareness is the Health and Wellness Center which undertakes year-round measures to promote recognition of many health issues, including breast cancer. They have a four-fold approach to breast cancer awareness: honoring those lost to the disease, supporting those living with the disease, celebrating survivors and increasing awareness of what is necessary to find a cure.

Sororities such as Kappa Kappa Gamma also took significant measures to address this mission.

Kelly Hill, philanthropy chair for KKG, said $17,000 was raised for the 2006-2007 school year with a three-day, 20-mile/day walk that seven of their girls completed. Nationally, breast cancer walk-a-thons raised $6 million.

Having adopted breast cancer as their philanthropy, the sorority has been selling bracelets and ribbons in both Donahue Hall and at the Oreo during this past month. They also extend weekly visits to Bryn Mawr Cancer Treatment Center and provided letters with pre-paid postage for students to fill out and send to patients in the midst of treatment. Sophomore member Kristen Kostiw said these experiences have been “some of the most memorable and rewarding ones of my KKG involvement yet.”

The sororities’ work with CAT resulted in the symbolic pink lights that illuminate the campus during the night.

KKG also provided self-breast exams and mammogram information pamphlets to both women and men. The upcoming human ribbon at the Oreo at the conclusion of this school week is symbolic of the community’s awareness of breast cancer’s effects.

The Health and Wellness Center offers free informational resources, and students are encouraged to share the information they learn this month concerning breast cancer.

The Villanova Singers, Facilities Management and Dining Services helped to create a memorable atmosphere in the South Campus Dining Hall this Thursday, Oct. 26.

The pink lights across campus and on the church signify the struggles and successes of breast cancer survivors and the support of the campus in the search for a cure.