A phrase that no one ever wants to hear is “you have cancer.” Breast cancer is—although over 2.9 million have survived from the deadly disease—the second leading cause of death for women; and 1 in 8 women are affected with breast cancer every year.  Over the years the number of breast cancer survivors has increased and that is because millions of people gather together to raise money for breast cancer research.

The center for leadership and service (CLS) will host many volunteer projects and bake sales to help raise money for breast cancer research throughout the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

All cancer begins with an abnormality cell growth. These cells, otherwise known as cancer cells, do not stop growing and continue to grow on healthy tissues.

Breast cancer, according to cancer.org, can form in different types, from common cancers like the ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—which can be a non-invasive cancer or an invasive cancer—to rare cancers like the inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)—where the breast looks inflamed and there is no appearance of a lump. As many people know breast cancer is mostly found in women, but it can be found in men as well.

Join CLS in raising funds and awareness of breast cancer research by volunteering or donating money to the cause. Students can volunteer at the yearly, and most popular volunteer service for breast cancer, American Cancer Society: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Students can sign up for the volunteer event Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, and it is recommend to sign up early as this event fills up quickly.

There are many ways for one to donate to this cause. Students can buy hoodies at the price of $25 and t-shirts at the price of $10 throughout the month of October by visiting the CLS office. If one would like to simply donate to the cause, he or she may visit the Kean University’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer website.

There are also several other opportunities for students to donate. The CLS will be hosting bake sales throughout the month of October and students can donate to the cause and receive a delicious treat. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Below are the bake sales dates:

• Thursday, October 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Kean Ocean will be attending its own Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, October 18, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The walk will take place on Point Pleasant Beach (Point Pleasant Beach Ocean and Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant, New Jersey). To register with Kean Ocean for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, please click here.

For more information about volunteer opportunities during the month of October, please visit the CLS in Miron Student Center (MSC) room 219, call 908-737-510, or email serve@kean.edu.

For more information about what will happen throughout the month of October, please visit the CLS page on Cougar Link.