Gannon University Fountain Turns Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
Posted: October 8, 2016Pink 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."