ZTA Thinks Pink for a Cause

by Kirstin Hermansen

To read the story of a college student who battled breast cancer, click here.

To see photos of men in heels raising money for cancer research, click here.

As October brings thoughts of cool weather and the colors of changing leaves for some, others are thinking pink.  

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and sororities around the country are supporting the cause.

According to Karen Richardson, the president of USF’s Zeta Tau Alpha chapter, the sorority hosts its annual fall philanthropy event, Octobreastfest, which takes place on Oct. 20 and 21, and has close ties with the Susan G. Komen Foundation year-round.   

The event includes a Best-Chest Competition, where guests can pay a small fee to vote for their favorite chest with all the proceeds going to the foundation.  The grand finale is a “Pink Out,” where all Greek organizations can deck their house in pink to stand up for the fight against breast cancer.

In addition, the sorority collects pink Yoplait lids and hosts a yogurt-eating contest.  

The sisters have also partnered with USF Dining Services to make yogurt parfaits with Yoplait in an effort to collect pink lids for a campaign called “Save Lids to Save Lives.”  

ZTA has also placed boxes at local businesses to collect even more lids.  The girls started involvement with Yoplait in 2004.  For every lid collected, Yoplait donates 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

ZTA at USF has come in second place two years in a row for collecting the most lids among its chapters nationwide.  Last year they collected over 21,000.

“We want the participation of everyone, not just Greeks,” Richardson said.

In the past, ZTA has had many events supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation and breast cancer awareness.  Since its association with the foundation, the girls have been providing pink T-shirts and caps for participants.  They also provide pink "in-memory-of" and "in-celebration-of" signs for participants to honor a loved one.  ZTA also provides self-breast examination reminder stickers for calendars.

 ZTA established an association with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1992, and became the first national sponsor of Race for the Cure.  

 ZTA has donated over $3 million to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The national sorority is currently working with 23 of the 32 NFL teams to help increase breast cancer awareness by passing out pink ribbons and how-to examination cards.  The girls from the USF chapter will be at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Oct. 17 and at the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game on Oct. 18.

ZTA’s work for the cure continues after Oct. 31, however. During the spring semester, the sorority will hold its annual fashion show with vendors, auctions and food.  There is a special segment of the show dedicated to breast cancer survivors.  

“We are so proud of them (survivors) and their fight against breast cancer,” Richardson said.

Richardson’s grandmother and great-grandmother are both survivors of breast cancer.  Unfortunately, her grandmother also suffered from lung cancer and lost her life to it.  

“Any cancer is bad and affects anyone, anywhere, no matter who you are,” Richardson said.  “This is a cause that really touches my heart, and when I see survivors I can't help but smile, knowing that our organization is fighting toward the same cause.”