Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) recently sponsored a Think Pink, Drink Pink lemonade stand to raise funds and awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We thought it would be a great way to get awareness and education out about our philanthropy,” said Susan Hooker, ZTA president. “It was a fun way to interact with the student body and let them know a little bit about Zeta Tau Alpha and what we stand for.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 12, women from the ZTA sorority set up a lemonade stand on the Founders Hall lawn. Students, faculty and staff could buy a cup of pink or yellow lemonade for a dollar or simply donate to the cause. Participants were also given educational pamphlets about breast cancer and pink ribbon pins.

Hooker said members of ZTA were able to sign up and work the stand whenever they did not have class, so they had plenty of help.

Emily McNutt, a member of ZTA, has a special reason to support breast cancer awareness.

“My godmother has been a breast cancer survivor for five years now,” McNutt said. “Too many women get it, and I mean I could wake up tomorrow and have it.”

McNutt said they wanted to do something different, and the lemonade stand was effective but did not cost much to do.

ZTA set up the Think Pink, Drink Pink stand two different days and raised close to $200 for the foundation.

The Zeta Tau Alpha sorority is partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, and all of the proceeds from the Think Pink, Drink Pink event, as well as other events sponsored by ZTA, go to the foundation.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the leading foundation in the breast cancer awareness movement. Nancy Brinker started the organization in 1982 after breast cancer took her sister’s life and has invested nearly $1.5 billion for the cure since then.

Breast cancer occurs when malignant cells for in breast tissue, and both men and women of any age are subject to the disease. Getting an annual mammogram is important to detecting breast cancer in its early stages.

Betty Ford, a former First Lady and breast cancer survivor, was one of the first public figures to speak out about the disease. After she and her daughter, Susan Ford Bales, were televised speaking about the importance of getting screened, other high-profile figures, organizations and media got involved making breast cancer awareness a national sensation.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and ZTA sisters from all over the nation have been holding the Think Pink, Drink Pink event to help in the fight towards finding a cure for breast cancer.

“As ZTA president, I feel strongly about getting our philanthropy out there so that the school and community can support and help those friends, family, and women that are affected and diagnosed with breast cancer each and every day,” Hooker said. “The event is there to support our purpose in raising money and awareness for those who are diagnosed with breast cancer and for those who will be diagnosed in the future. With our commitment to exceed our goal and with our school and communities participation, we will be able to educate more women about breast cancer and early detection practices.”

Zeta Tau Alpha’s other sponsored events such as Big Man on Campus pageant and Passionately Pink Soccer Game also help raise funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and breast cancer awareness.

Donations towards the fight for the cure can be made through Zeta Tau Alpha or at www.komen.org or through other foundations supporting breast cancer awareness.