By Emily Loper
The Susan G. Komen On the Go trailer set up shop in the mall area Friday to educate students about breast cancer and encourage action in the fight against it.
Janelle Benuska, Komen On the Go staff member, said the tour started in New Jersey and traveled down the East Coast to its final stop in Abilene. She said its goal is to educate youth about the untruths of breast cancer.
“It is a common myth that breast cancer only affects women over 40,” Benuska said. “That’s why detection is key.”
Benuska said the main feature of the pink trailer is its interactive computer curriculum. The eight to 10 minute program gives students general knowledge, as well as many little-known breast cancer statistics. Upon completion of the program, participants were given a free drawstring bag containing more information about breast cancer and entered into a drawing for a free iPod Nano.
The Susan G. Komen foundation sponsors national and local events raising money for breast cancer research throughout the year. The Komen foundation’s two most popular events are its Race for the Cure, a 5K walk or run, and the Breast Cancer 3-Day, a 60-mile walk.
Benuska said the tour focuses on college campuses. About 200 students complete the curriculum on each campus, and others stop by throughout the day to pick up information pamphlets.
“People always learn something new from the video curriculum, as well as from the stories of those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer,” Benuska said.
Amanda McAdams, junior social work major from Tyler, said the pink trailer caught her attention as she walked to class Friday morning. In her free time after Chapel, she decided to brave the long line and watch the presentation.
McAdams said she knew a little about breast cancer before she entered the trailer but was shocked by some of the statistics included in the program.
“I always thought most of the women affected by breast cancer had someone in their family who had been affected,” McAdams said. “The curriculum talked about how women with no affected relatives are just as susceptible.”
