On Tuesday, October 8th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm the 18th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) event was held at the Davey L. Whitney Complex on the campus of Alcorn State University (ASU).
BCAM was initiated to inform people on the importance of Breast Cancer. During the month of October, major campaign organizations and charities increase awareness of this disease while raising funds for research for its cause and how to prevent it.
Andrea Renee’ Shadwick, founder of the BCAM event at Alcorn, was diagnosed with the disease in 2002. She wanted to bring awareness to ASU’s campus and as a result the occurrence is held every October. After Shadwick’s passing, Casaundra Thompson, Administrative Assistant for the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER), continued her legacy in 2005.
This event marked the 18th year of the BCAM and the second year for the extension walk. “Each year this event gets bigger and our goal is to put out awareness in our community to show support for those that are going through this, to help push and motivate the families and to share loving memories,’’ stated Jackie Ford, the event’s coordinator.
There were many vendors who come out to support the event. As a result, they talked about cancer supporting groups, survivors of the disease, and taking care of your overall health. Ford chooses the vendors based off of their platform regarding Breast Cancer. Some of the participants this year were the Mississippi Health Department, the All Of Us Network who currently research medication that cancer and diabetes patients take, Mississippi Tobacco Free, Extension, Family Consumer Science, and the Adams Police Department.
The attendees were not only informed about Breast Cancer but they enjoyed raffle drawings, food, music, and giveaways. “I am a Stage 4 Cancer survivor. I really enjoy coming to this event because this is a serious matter that deserves recognition and a cure. I am blessed to still be here and I will continue to come to the BCAM event at Alcorn,” stated Joan Miller from Simpson County, Mississippi.