Two Greek houses raise money for breast cancer research

Coffee, desserts, live music and energizing dance performances will all be part of the alpha Kappa Delta Phi, Inc., sorority's efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer.

The sorority's Breast Cancer Awareness Coffeehouse will be held tonight from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity house, located at 3539 Locust Walk.

The event -- which is sponsored by the only nationwide Asian-interest sorority -- will raise money for the organization's national philanthropy cause, the Susan G. Kormen Foundation for breast cancer research.

The $5 student entry fee will cover all entertainment and food, including appearances by nine performing arts groups such as The Mask and Wig Band, Chord on Blues, Strictly Funk and Arts House Dance. Refreshments will be provided by Penn Dining Services, Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Bubble Tea House, and prizes from Douglas cosmetics will also be raffled off at the event.

The coffeehouse will not center solely on entertainment, though. Guest speaker Angel Blair from Student Health's Women's Health Services division and the Nursing School plans to further educate those in attendance on breast cancer awareness through a speech focusing on prevention, diagnosis and the short-term and long-term treatment of the disease.

The celebratory event is expected to attract between 150 and 200 people and will conclude the sorority's week-long campaign to further knowledge regarding breast cancer on Penn's campus.

Since Monday, chapter sisters have been on Locust Walk distributing educational materials from the American Cancer Society, which provide statistics and information about breast cancer, as well as instructions on how to correctly conduct breast self-examinations.

The sisters have also been assisting interested students in conducting such exams on prosthetic breast models, which all contain lumps detectable through touch.

In addition to its free educational materials, the sorority has been selling ornamental pins and attention-grabbing t-shirts printed with the slogan "support my rack, breast cancer awareness week 2002" in order to raise money for the foundation.

Chapter President Sylvia Srisinthorn explains that the edgy t-shirts and pins serve to "turn people's heads" when they pass the table on the Walk.

After initially grabbing the attention of those on the walk, Srisinthorn says that the sorority is then able to educate those who pause at the display, which is the organization's primary goal during the campaign.

"It's a very big issue that people should be educated about," Co-Vice President of Chapter Community Service Tiffany Lam said.

The Wharton senior explained that even college-age women -- who may not be in the highest risk category for the disease -- must know their own bodies in order to properly monitor any changes that may occur.

By doing so, Lam noted that cancer is more likely to be discovered in its early and most treatable stages.

According to Srisinthorn, this year's campaign has not only been the first in which the organization has sold t-shirts to raise funds, but also the first in which any large event, like the coffeehouse, will be held.

Srisinthorn attributes this year's success both to the provocative marketing and design of the t-shirts and to the strong connection that chapter sisters feel toward the cause.

"I think there's a lot of personal issues that go into breast cancer," the Nursing senior said. She added that these emotional and personal feelings toward the disease "motivate people to do what they can" to further the campaign.

Breast Cancer Awareness Committee member and sorority sister Joyce Minakami explained that her own emotional investment in the campaign has increased since her aunt was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

"It hit home. You're doing something about it so it makes you feel better," the College senior said. "It's almost therapeutic."

Minakami added that this year's campaign has not only been a therapeutic endeavor for her, but also "a demonstration of how a group can come together to produce a positive change."

This article misspelled the name of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.