Two-time breast cancer survivor Missy Stein has a challenge for Penn students.
She invited those who attended an event hosted by MUSE, Penn’s Marketing Club, to design a marketing plan targeted toward college students for Philadelphia’s Race for the Cure — a 5K race held in cities around the country on Mother’s Day.
“How can you effectively shift people’s focus from a deadly disease to hope and survival?” Stein, a 10-year volunteer for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, asked a group of students in Huntsman Hall on Tuesday.
Stein discussed the organization’s non-profit marketing and shared her personal survival story in a room filled with pink donuts and breast cancer pamphlets.
“We want people to be aware how impactful and productive non-profit marketing can be,” Wharton sophomore and one of the event’s organizers Yibo Jia said.
College junior Maggie Ercolani, another organizer, said “it is important for people to realize that [Penn students] don’t have to go into the financial industry.”
Komen is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the world and has raised nearly $1.9 billion toward the fight against breast cancer. Stein explained how Komen marketed its biggest event of the year, the Race for the Cure.
“It is really amazing when people see cancer survivors actually running a race,” Stein, who was selected to be Komen’s 2012 Survivor Fundraising Chairperson, said. In terms of marketing, “it spreads the message that people do survive this terrible disease and that we need your money to help find a cure,” she added.
Stein also discussed how the pink breast cancer color has become a staple at all types of events, including professional football games.
“In order to be successful in marketing, you have to know both your brand and your consumer,” she said.
For Wharton freshman Jeremy Schneck, one of about 20 at the event, breast cancer has hit close to home. “My grandmother passed away because of breast cancer, so the disease has always been a prevalent issue in my life,” he said. “Tonight’s event however has inspired me to get involved and use my Penn education to attempt Missy’s challenge.”
Wharton senior Sara Yoon added, “Not many non-profit speakers and organizations come to Wharton. The event provided us with a diverse perspective on potential career paths or interests.”
