September 12, 2017

Breast cancer awareness month events set

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. – A murder mystery dinner, a human pink ribbon and an assortment of other special activities at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raise funds for student scholarships this fall.

The month-long “Start Seeing Pink 2017” observance officially kicks off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the north entrance of the Student Center. The kickoff event will feature music, food, giveaways and information about upcoming “pink” happenings and opportunities to “Support ike a Saluki.” Activities continue throughout October.

One of the highlights of this year’s commemoration is “Murder at the Abbey,” a themed murder mystery dinner, complete with 1920s-era Downton Abbey-style costume contest, raffle, door prizes, wine corkage and cash bar. It happens at 6 p.m. on Oct. 21 in Ballroom D at the Student Center.

Tickets are $35 each for the Student Center/Jest Entertainment presentation and the admission price covers dinner and the show. Seating is limited and tickets are available in advance at the business office window on the second floor of the Student Center. Also, credit card orders will be accepted by calling the Student Center Marketing Department at 618/453-7103. Sponsors include Saluki Craft, Koerner Distributor Inc. and Crystal’s Catering.

One and all – students, faculty, staff and community members – are invited to don their pink attire and meet on the lawn of Morris Library at 11:50 a.m. Oct. 18 to help create a giant human pink ribbon. This breast cancer awareness event will be photographed.

You can purchase Saluki Pink apparel online through Silkworm with proceeds going to the Saluki Strength Breast Cancer Fund. Orders placed by Oct. 10 will arrive in time for the Human Pink Ribbon photo opportunity.

Big Pink Volleyball returns to campus at 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Student Recreation Center. This fun student volleyball game is played, as the name indicates, with a giant pink ball. 

Proceeds of all Start Seeing Pink 2017 events go to SIU’s Saluki Strength Breast Cancer Fund, which was established to provide scholarships and other assistance for SIU students who have been affected by breast cancer. Elise Wells, a senior forestry major; Randy Ramirez, a senior special education major; Alexis Renner, a senior management major; Joseline Marquez, a junior behavior analysis and therapy major; and Katelyn McTaggart, a senior biological sciences major, each received $1,250 scholarships to be used this fall from the proceeds of the 2016 Start Seeking Pink campaign.

Throughout the month of October, people are invited to stop by Morris Library or the Student Health Center to participate in “I Wear Pink For.” Drop your change in designated “Tip Jars” at the Student Center’s eateries and you’ll have the opportunity to write your own name or the name of someone you care about who has been affected by breast cancer on a pink ribbon.

An online Saluki Funder seeks to raise $5,000 for the scholarship fund via social media and crowd funding, allowing Salukis to spread the word to one another around the world. Plans also call for a month-long 50/50 fundraising raffle.

“Dine to Donate: Support (and Eat) Like a Saluki” is another way to be a part of the effort to support students affected by breast cancer. All month long, S & B Burger Joint is contributing a portion of their sales proceeds from their “featured burger” to the fund. McAlister’s will contribute from sales that take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 6 and Quatro’s will give a portion of their sales when customers indicate they want to contribute by telling servers or delivery drivers all day long on Oct. 17.

Other special activities are planned in conjunction with SIU’s Start Seeing Pink 2017 as well. Find the complete schedule for Start Seeing Pink 2017, along with additional details and information about the Saluki Strength Breast Cancer Fund scholarship and previous scholarship winners, at www.studentcenter.siu.edu/pink.

You can also learn more or learn about how you can get involved through volunteer opportunities by contacting Beth Alongi at 618/453-7103 or balongi@siu.edu. Share your Start Seeing Pink experiences and photos through the website and using the hashtag #salukistrength.