The saying goes that there are two types of people in this world—those who had breast cancer and those who will get it. According to some estimates, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. While survival rates are good if the cancer is detected early, the diagnosis can be terrifying. 

The FSC community, though, is uniting in October, as it does every year at this time, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to raise money for research, and end that inevitability. While women are 100 times more likely than men to develop breast cancer, it is estimated over 2,700 men nationwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.

“Early detection, early cure,” is the mantra repeated by health care providers, said Nancy Smithwick, a Health Educator at the campus Health and Wellness Center. Women are encouraged to do monthly self-exams of their breasts, and if they are not sure how to do them, they should speak with a health professional, she added.

Among the events in which students are participating:

  • Oct. 10-Oct. 13: TKE is holding a Bros in Bras fundraiser for breast cancer research.
  • Oct. 13: Delta Phi Epsilon is hosting a Breast Cancer Sucks and Pink Carnation Fundraiser.
  • Oct. 16: 7 a.m. to noon, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Field 5, Jones Beach. Participants include members of fraternities Alpha Phi Delta, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Kappa Sigma and sororities Sigma Delta Tau, Phi Sigma Sigma, and Delta Phi Epsilon.
  • Oct. 18: Sigma Delta Tau is holding a Bake Sale to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

Students from the RAM program will be participating in the walk as well, helping with check in, setting up, cleaning up, and serving as route marshals. More than 20 students have signed up. To join the RAM volunteers, sign up here.

This year’s walk is especially personal for the sisters of Phi Sigma Sigma; the mother of one of their members recently was diagnosed with breast cancer, and they are walking in her honor.

“I think the breast cancer fundraisers are important because the money raised helps to promote awareness and research,” said Eunice Ro, Director of Student Activities and the Campus Center.

Breast cancer continues to batter Long Islanders, for a variety of reasons: almost 2,400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year on Long Island and 440 die from it annually. Statewide, 16,800 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually and about 2,500 women die from the disease. 

The FSC campus long has supported breast cancer research. The prevalence of the disease may have something to do with that, noted Ro. “This probably means our students have been directly/indirectly impacted by breast cancer,” she said. “I believe the many campus groups getting involved with breast cancer fundraisers shows that FSC is committed to help eradicate breast cancer.”

Learn more about upcoming campus events and ways to participate.