On October 3rd, in the lobby of the Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr. Dining Facility, the ladies of the Gamma Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated along with the men of the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated teamed up to raise money for Breast and Prostate cancer.
The event was entitled “Fill the Boot Fundraiser”. Students entered the cafeteria lobby and the boots were on top of tables to be filled with monetary items. “Raising money for Breast cancer is one of the most important things we can do as a Sorority,” Senior Heather Jackson stated. When the students gave their donations, they were offered sugar cookies as a token of appreciation from both Chapters. The event lasted from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death amongst women. Each year it is estimated that over 252,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with Breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die from it. It has also been estimated that over 2,400 men will be diagnosed with this disease and over 450 will die from it as well.
Prostate cancer is among one the most common cancers found in men. All men are at risk for developing the disease. About one in six men will be diagnosed with Prostate cancer during their lifetime but only one in 36 men will actually die from the disease. According to the American Cancer Society about 161,000 new cases of Prostate cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2017 and over 26,000 of those will result in death. “I love this idea because I’ve known people who have passed away from these cancers,” Sophomore Alexis Randolph said.
More than 100 students gave donations to help the cause. Both Chapters raised over $200 together with the donations going to the American Cancer Society in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.