After a month of the USC Song Leaders shaking pink pom-poms and women’s volleyball team donning seasonal, pink uniforms, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming to an end. In support of those impacted by breast cancer, various USC organizations held events throughout the month to raise awareness and money.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month began 40 years ago, according to the American Cancer Society, and originally served as a week of education. It has since grown into a month-long awareness period, represented by the color pink and events like fun runs and “pink-out” themed gatherings.
USC Panhellenic just wrapped up their ‘Panhel in Pink,’ a week of events in support of breast cancer research. The week included competitions, fundraiser pop-ups and ended with a 5K Walk at the L.A. State Historic Park.
Thursday night featured a speaker series at the Tri Delta house, located on USC’s ‘frat row.’ Sophie Wojcik, a junior studying industrial and systems engineering, presented a slideshow showcasing Camp Kesem – USC’s chapter organization supporting children impacted by a parent’s cancer.
Wojcik is a summer camp counselor and volunteer coordinator at Camp Kesem. Her involvement stemmed from her personal experience with breast cancer.
“My mom had a tumor in her breast, and it’s a very tough space to be in alone, so when I found Camp Kesem, it felt like I had found a community of people who have such an amazing impact on children,” Wojcik said.
The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures 2025 document reported that 2025 will see 316,950 new cases of breast cancer in women and 2,800 in men. They estimate 42,680 deaths for both sexes by the end of the year. The Centers for Disease Control reported a 1.1% increase in breast cancer incidence per year for women younger than 45 between 2012 and 2022.
Since 1989, the breast cancer death rate has declined by 44% due to improved treatments and access to earlier detection technology. By raising awareness during October, fundraisers contribute to educational resources, technological advances and research advancement.
Two USC-based fundraisers to support are the Panhellenic fundraiser, supporting research at the Cedars-Sinai hospital and the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, supporting research at USC’s Cancer Center. Both of these fundraisers close this Friday.
The USC Bookstore has a section dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness merchandise, including 13 themed items for purchase. On Wednesday, the Cancer Support Community Greater in the San Gabriel Valley area has a seminar on navigating breast cancer, featuring physicians from Keck Medicine and USC Arcadia Hospital.
The USC Student Assembly for Gender Empowerment and Sigma Lambda Gamma have a mastectomy pillow workshop tomorrow to support mastectomy patients. The event is on Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in TCC 232.
“After tomorrow, I hope the members continue to look into issues and how they can help, even if it doesn’t directly affect them, because it can affect someone they love,” said Elisa Torres, the SAGE Director of Membership and Recruitment. “It’s very important, especially coming from a place of privilege. If you’re someone who doesn’t have to worry about this, use that privilege to help people who don’t have that.”