Sacramento State’s Greek organizations such as Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Chi Omega will join the rest of the city of Sacramento at Sunday’s 20th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in front of the State Capitol.
The event will host about at least 450 teams, which consist of a total of around 2,580 participants.
Sac State junior Bailey Hardwick and her Gamma Phi Beta sorority sisters will gather Sunday morning at the walk to honor those who are fighting or have fought this disease.
“I will be attending the (Making Strides Against) Breast Cancer Walk to help support my sorority’s philanthropy “Girls on the Run,” which is an organization that helps empower girls and women,” Hardwick said. “Every year we have shirts made with survivor’s names on them. I put my aunt’s name on mine.”
Hardwick said that it is a great opportunity for not just the city, but also her organization to participate in an event that brings so many people together.
“One year, a sister’s mom, who is a survivor of breast cancer, came all the way from San Diego just to participate in the walk,” Hardwick said. “I was so amazed that she came from so far away just to participate, it was really moving.”
More organizations around campus will also join Hardwick, including the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, who volunteered to work at this year’s walk to show their support for the cause.
“There is more than just our campus; there is an entire community that needs the support,” said Zouapa Thao, the Alpha Chi Omega’s community service chair. “This disease has affected so many and we need to give all the support that we can. The community has always helped us and our school so I think it’s time to give some help back.”
Sigma Theta Psi is another campus organization that breast cancer is one of its major philanthropic missions. The group donates directly to this cause year-round and is especially active during every October because of the walk.
“While it is more common in women, the disease still affects men and they need to get support as well.” said Kristina Valle, a member of the sorority. “Our sorority’s beneficiary is a sister’s grandmother who recently got diagnosed with the disease so all the money we raised this week will go to her treatments.”
So far the participants have raised $139,965.54 in donations, with the number expecting to rise by the day of the walk.
The 20th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday in front of the State Capitol.