“Stronger Together” Poster Making for Breast Cancer at Miron Student Center
By Josephine Carrillo | Published November 1, 2022
Kean University’s Center of Leadership and Service (CLS) hosted a poster-making event for Breast Cancer in the Miron Student Center at Kean University, on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Tiffany Anelle, a graduate student assistant for CLS, and Iklhas Lahlou, undergraduate student staff member of CLS, prepared a google slide presentation. It gave the students that attended the event accurate information on breast cancer and people currently battling against it.
It was shown that one of the main reasons people do not get the treatment they need is due to not getting checked from a young age. This leads to being diagnosed at an advanced stage.
“My mother is currently fighting breast cancer for the second time,” said Anelle. “Seeing how my community at Kean is supporting people currently fighting against breast cancer certainly hits home and it is such a warm feeling to know that we are being supported and heard just gives me a peace of mind.”
Anelle and her colleagues have hosted a poster-making event previous to this one in the Greek lounge, where many Kean students showed their support by making posters and shared their personal stories with breast cancer.
Susana Pardo, a junior majoring in biology, attended the event and shared her aunt’s story, who suffered from breast cancer and passed away from the disease about three years ago.
“I believe even the smallest thing as making a poster for the breast cancer walk can help those currently fighting against the disease know that they are being heard, supported, and that we cared, they will win this fight!”Susana said while drawing her poster that consisted of a pink butterfly and pink ribbon, with encouraging words for those suffering and fighting, as well as their families.
The poster-making event for breast cancer has been hosted every year at Kean University for the past ten years as well as their bake sales for breast cancer. Their next poster-making event will be held on Oct. 18 in the Miron Student Center Room 315B from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m.
“Attending this event is beyond important since you gain knowledge on what the disease is about and how to prevent it by being early diagnosed. They also teach you how to support those currently fighting the disease” said Alexa Quinones, a freshman majoring in chemistry.
Alexa lost a dear family friend back in Peru due to breast cancer, which is why attending and contributing by making a poster for the breast cancer walk on Oct 23 meant a lot to her.
“There are a lot of awareness disorders in October, yet Breast Cancer is the most common one, October is wear pink month. students are not fully aware of symptoms of the disease, how to prevent it, and what the people suffering from it go through” said Anelle, “That is why we are here, to spread awareness, the more people that know about it, the faster the cure will get to those in need”.
It is truly appreciated when students part of the Kean University community attend these events and show their support by helping each other and send the message that they are present and listening to those in need.
“The more people that know, the more the awareness is spread throughout our university’s community and the more volunteers we get to support those fighting breast cancer, or any type of cancer, we are the future,” said Lahlou.
Lahlou lost her grandmother a few years ago to cancer. For her, helping out and informing others of ways on how to help those suffering from the disease, showing them her support, and spreading awareness is beyond important and necessary.
If you know someone currently suffering from breast cancer, motivate them to keep fighting and support them along the way. Lastly, remind them that “Pink is stronger than you think.” and everyone cares and stands by their side while they fight breast cancer.