Epsilon Sigma Rho, a multicultural fraternity at Sacramento State, organized a disc jockey battle on Wednesday to raise awareness for prostate cancer, the most common type of cancer found in men.

The fraternity collaborated with Impact, a program funded by the California Departmentof Health Services, which provides free prostate cancer treatment for low income men with little or no health insurance.

According to Impact’s website, prostate cancer “starts in the cells of the prostate gland.” When a man has prostate cancer, the prostate cancer cells grow into a tumor and can also spread into other parts of the body, according to the website.

Jesus Gonzalez, senior communication studies major and vice president of internal affairs for Epsilon Sigma Rho, said the fraternity wanted to hold a unique event that would provide students with an opportunity to learn about prostate cancer.

“(The fraternity) decided on a DJ battle to raise awareness because we wanted people to get involved…(Anyone) can just come in, learn about the cancer, listen to some music and, if they can, donate money to the cause,” he said.

Students could learn about prostate cancer,courtesy of information provided by Impact and watch a free DJ show put on by members of different fraternities.

Pamphlets were available for anyone interested in learning what prostate cancer is, where it can be found in the male body, who to call for more information and where treatment is provided.

DJ Mario Escobar, senior graphic design major, said the event was designed for the fraternity to provide “a live show for people to watch and raise money (for the cause) while (they) were doing it.”

Members from other fraternities also participated in the event. Alumnus Rashaud Martin, a graduate student, represented Omega Psi Phi as another DJ.

Omega Psi Phi, a community service fraternity, collaborates with fellow fraternities in community service projects to raise awareness for illnesses such as sickle cell anemia.

Epsilon Sigma Rho headed several events to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. In 2006, the fraternity organized Sorority Kickball, where five sororities on campus donated $50 each to play in a kickball tournament. All the funds raised at the event were donated to the California Prostate Cancer Coalition.

Gonzalez said in the past three years, Epsilon Sigma Rho donated approximately $750 to CPCC.

The DJ battle was held for students, especially male students, to not only learn about prostate cancer but to also have the chance to speak with others about their health.

“I’ve noticed that men in general don’t talk enough about their health…They always just want to put (thinking about) it to the side and worry later,” he said. “I think it’s time that they start talking about it.”

Princess Garnace can be reached at [email protected].