Students rewarded for Pink Week efforts
Peace. Love. Cure. Those were the words printed on the shirts sold during ‘Pink Week’ (Sept. 28-Oct. 3) in Schwitzer Student Center that helped the University of Indianapolis raise over $7,000 for the Indianapolis affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Student Activities Coordinator Jessica Nickoson accepted the award on behalf of the university.
UIndy’s recognized service organizations were able to raise a total of $7,162.11, a huge increase from the $2,174.70 UIndy raised during last year’s Pink Week.
The hard work was apparent when Student Activities Coordinator Jessica Nickoson received an award on behalf of UIndy in recognition and appreciation for outstanding fundraising at the Circle of Hope on Dec. 8.
“I helped sell T-shirts, because breast cancer has a huge effect on people and their families and it helps fund research to someday find a cure,” junior Kristen Lancaster said.
Senior Elizabeth Semrau, treasurer for Indianapolis Student Government (ISG), was the student coordinator for Pink Week for the second year in a row.
“I simply spoke about the week-long event at the Recognized Service Organization (RSO) roundtable,” Semrau said. “Each RSO was informed about the event and spoke with their own organization to decide if they wished to participate.”
Eight organizations contributed to the cause. ISG, Residence Hall Association and Campus Program Board sold T-shirts throughout the week.
The Dance Team held a bake sale while Sigma Zeta sold koozies and wrist bands. The Indianapolis Student Art Association drew caricatures. The United Methodist Student Association offered to color students’ hair pink and the Black Student Association put on ‘Photoshoot Part 3.’
In addition to the money raised, pamphlets and brochures were distributed regarding signs of breast cancer, treatments and how to perform self-checks.
Semrau and Nickoson both expressed the importance of breast cancer awareness.
“Breast cancer is something that affects everyone,” Semrau said. “Our efforts as students to raise money and awareness during breast cancer awareness month only increases the chances of one day finding a cure to save a loved one.”
According to research conducted by the National Cancer Institute, there were 192,370 female cases and 1,910 male cases diagnosed in the year 2009.
Furthermore, the disease killed over 40 thousand people last year.
The University of Indianapolis plans to continue with Pink Week for years to come.
“More of our [UIndy’s] organizations are continuing to grow and we look forward to seeing what we can do this year,” Nickoson said.
