Gamma Upsilon members, AKA Sorority, Inc., and participants pose for a photo during Thursday’s candlelight vigil. The Gamma Upsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month with four days of events, Oct. 12 to Oct. 15, for the campus and surrounding community.

The chapter held a candlelight vigil in honor of those affected by breast cancer. Denisicia Scott, chapter member, opened the program with a poem written in remembrance of those who succumbed to breast cancer. Attendants participated in a moment of silence and a short walk around Felix Alexis circle with candles. “The entire week has been a success. We [the chapter] have all learned a lot and hope the student body has also,” said Scott as she thanked participants for their support.

The chapter began the week with a breast cancer awareness forum where attendants were educated on the risks and effects of breast cancer. Guest speaker, Julia Johnson spoke about how breast cancer also greatly affects family members.

The next two days were fundraising events. The organization sold wristbands in the student center and passed out information cards with facts and statistics about breast cancer. The events showcased the importance of the fight against breast cancer and highlighted the high statistics of how blacks are affected, said Sierra Blake, sophomore participant.

According to the American Cancer Society, black women are 67 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than their white counterparts. There are now about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States and support of the cause continues to grow. Information about prevention and treatment can be found at www. Cancer.org