TSU Rec. holds “Pink Out” today
Written by admin on October 7, 2021
By Briana Williams, Brooklyn Gordon and Donovyn Bookman (Contributors)
The Texas Southern University’s Recreation Center will host its annual Pink-Out for Breast Cancer event on Oct. 7 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which begins this week.
Tiffany Conard, a TSU alumna, a former rec center employee of four years, and a three-year event planner for the pink-out, spoke with KTSU2 about this event.
“The TSU Pink-Out event is not a lecture but more of an event that supports and raises awareness on the importance of breast cancer,” she said.
Conard continued, “We have a DJ that brings a great vibe, and giveaways for our guest speakers who are usually breast cancer survivors or fighters who are currently battling the disease.”
There are currently 3.8 million people in the U.S. diagnosed with breast cancer; October is the month dedicated to reassuring these individuals that they are not alone, and the rec center could not pass up the opportunity to jump on board and provide assurance to these brave warriors.
“The rec center’s Pink-Out event is so beneficial; supporting those who have breast cancer, whether we know them as strangers, friends or family, will always have an impact,” said communications major Sasha Quintanilla.
The rec center plans to inform, entertain, and honor all within the three hours of this event.
Partners such as MD Anderson Cancer Center and TSU’s health center are annual attendees at these pink outs and will be present Thursday.
MD Anderson is the nation’s premiere cancer center and advocates mammograms and self-evaluations.
This year’s Pink Out organizer, Kiana Choice, told KTSU2 that mammograms and self-evaluations will be highlighted in pamphlets and distributed to guests to educate them on how to detect early stages of breast cancer.
Choice added that event’s objective is to bring awareness.
”The event’s goal is to provide students information about breast cancer,” she said.
Not to worry, along with the learning, there will be some fun, Choice said
There are numerous games and activities, including pumpkin painting, photo ops, and last year’s crowd favorite, bra pong, a variation on the popular party game beer pong.
Food, snacks, and beverages will be provided, and there may be a free live performance by the band Raw Materials for those in attendance at the event.
While everyone is welcome to attend, many students informed KTSU2 that the time conflicted with their classes, preventing some from attending.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend, but I will be wearing pink to showcase my support,” Quintanilla said.
The rec center statistics indicate that attendance at event is increasing each year. With increased exposure via social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram, the numbers will rise, organizers said.
Students like Yashua Johnson, a freshman, learned about the event via KTSU2 and expressed her excitement to attend, saying, “I’ll most definitely go check it out. Thank you.”
This event is the talk of the week; the rec center extends an open invitation and hopes to see you all there Tigers!
Briana Williams, Brooklyn Gordon and Donovyn Bookman are in the Introduction to Reporting course at Texas Southern University.
