Colleges Against Cancer partnered with the Helen Knoll Foundation today to hold a rally for the early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., students holding pink posters with phrases like “Big or small, save ‘em all” sought to educate students on the risk factors associated with breast cancer.
Ralliers set up tables describing the genetic and environmental factors associated with breast cancer, along with ways to self-test for breast abnormalities.
Lauren Knoll, a UCLA alumna, founded the Helen Knoll Foundation in 2006 in honor of her mother, Helen Knoll, she said.
Helen Knoll died of breast cancer at 48. The Helen Knoll Foundation is one of the only breast cancer organizations in the country dedicated to detection and prevention for women between the ages 18 to 40, her daughter said.
Jennifer Rose, a first-year human biology and society student, said that a family history of a mutated BRCA gene puts certain women at higher risk for getting breast and ovarian cancer. She later added the importance of self-checking because many insurance agencies do not cover mammogram screenings for women under 40 years old.
Other tables included activities like making bracelets, playing “bra pong” and answering trivia questions about breast cancer. Colleges Against Cancer also gave out pink lemonade in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Ralliers spoke with over 1,000 students about the disease throughout the day.
Colleges Against Cancer plans to hold another rally on Nov. 19 for Lung Cancer Awareness.
Compiled by Kendal Mitchell, Bruin contributor.