Gannon University Fountain Turns Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Pink isn't a color usually associated with autumn, but it will be this year on the Gannon University campus as the water in the fountain at the Robert H. Morosky Academic Center at 150 W. 10th St. will be colored pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.

Carolynn Masters, Ph.D., RN, dean of the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences, noted that in the U.S., about one woman in eight will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. "Currently there are more than 2.1 million survivors of breast cancer in the U.S.," she said. "Gannon University wants to see the survivor number grow, and we are helping to make that happen through active participation in events to raise awareness and educate individuals about breast cancer."

Academic departments in the College are planning events throughout the month as part of a longstanding history of support at Gannon for breast cancer research and for survivors of the disease.

The Gannon women's basketball program's Pink Zone games have raised $123,109 for the fight against breast cancer in the nine-year history of the event, and $11,000 this year.

The Linked by Pink 5K Walk or Run benefits the local breast cancer organization "Linked By Pink" to promote awareness about breast cancer research and treatment. The Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Gannon University and the Sports Medicine Student Association of Mercyhurst University came together to sponsor the annual event.

"Every time someone sees the pink fountain, we want them to think about engaging in healthy lifestyles. That includes getting the recommended mammograms and other important screenings," Masters added. "There will be more survivors if we can do our part to encourage early diagnosis."