Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Eagle
Delivering American University's news and views since 1925
Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Eagle
CONDOM CREATIVITY - Students make jewelry with condoms and other materials, including ribbons, at the annual Breastival Tuesday.

Breastival raises $2,000 for cancer research

The Breastival raised more than $2,000 for breast-cancer research, said Vanessa Mueller, director of Women's Initiative.

"I'm really, really proud of our volunteers and what the campus community has done," Mueller said.

The Breastival promoted breast cancer awareness, said Sarah Brown, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences and member of Women's Initiative.

"We want to get the word out that breast cancer is a women's issue and something that society needs to be concerned about," she said.

Women's Initiative hosted the third annual Breastival Tuesday afternoon on the Friedheim Quadrangle.

The Breastival aims to increase understanding about breast cancer and a variety of other health and women's issues, according to a press release from Acting SG Secretary Caitlin Douglas.

The event featured information booths, games, food, music, prizes, a dunk tank, activities, workshops, performances and a memorial ceremony. All proceeds from the festival will be donated to breast cancer research, according to the press release.

Samantha Watson, a representative of the SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer, said she traveled from Boston to table at the event.

"It's all about getting the word out," she said. "It's worth it if one person finds out about us."

SAMFund provides medical bill reimbursement and tuition aid to young cancer survivors.

The Breastival made health issues more interesting, said Ari Comart, a freshman in the Washington Mentorship Program.

"It's a good way to educate people and make it fun as opposed to a boring info session," he said.

Support from many diverse groups in the campus community helped make the Breastival a success, Mueller said.

"I am especially excited about how many members of Greek Life participated and came out to support us, and I look forward to continuing to develop that relationship," she said.

The Breastival was a great environment to present some of the issues the National Women's Law Center supports, said Jen Swedish, a health law fellow at the Center. The National Women's Law Center has fought for health care policies that help women, laws against sexual discrimination in the workplace and stronger child support enforcement programs, according to its brochure.

State Farm, Coca-Cola, Bon App?tit, Apple, the AU Campus Store, JetBlue Airways and All in One Entertainment co-sponsored the Breastival, according to the press release.

"We have a lot of corporate sponsorship, so it hasn't cost the students a lot of money," SG President Joe Vidulich said.

The Breastival also featured a prize raffle. Elena Atkinson and Bridget Krzyztofik won tickets to the VIP reception for Elizabeth Edwards; Mika Mehribon won an iPod nano; Melissa Mason, Sydney Taylor and Damien Chevaillier won textbook scholarships; and Sandy Terry won JetBlue tickets.


 Hosts Delaney Hoke and Penelope Jennings speak to swimmer Caleb Farris and diver Amanda bosses about their unique experiences as college athletes. 



Powered by Solutions by The State News
All Content © 2024 The Eagle, American Unversity Student Media