UD Sorority Organizes Events To Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Emma Hughes
Contributing Writer

Emma Hughes is a member of ZTA

A sorority at the University of Dayton stayed busy this October with a flurry of events to support its philanthropy of breast cancer awareness and education.

The Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) National Women’s Fraternity hosted Big Flyer On Campus on Oct. 18 at the ArtStreet Ampitheater, which is a yearly talent show designed to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Among those behind planning the big event, abbreviated as BFOC, were Emma Tobin, ZTA’s director of philanthropy, and Kaleigh Stanton, the philanthropy chair.

“Our philanthropy is one of the most important things Zeta does. Some people don’t like to talk about this subject,” Tobin said.

UD ZTA president Staci Seitz believes her chapter is succeeding at educating people about their philanthropy.

“One in eight people are diagnosed with breast cancer and even more people are affected by this awful disease,” Seitz said. “Education is crucial to early detection and management, and Zeta Tau Alpha believes in working to continue the fight against breast cancer.”

Tobin and Stanton have been trying to push outside involvement and make it more well known what their chapter does. Since last semester, they have seen an 11% rise in fundraising toward their philanthropy.

“We would like to keep that trend going with this event,” Stanton said.

ZTA’s philanthropy reaches beyond campus confinements. The Making Strides Walk is an event put on in cities across the country. Dayton’s 5k walk was Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Dayton. Many girls from UD’s ZTA chapter volunteered at this event. Making Strides helps bring awareness to recognizing the signs of breast cancer and commemorate those affected.

Sophomore Molly Brennan attended the Making Strides Walk. This was her first big ZTA event since joining in February.

“I loved walking this year,” said Brennan. “It was a great experience and showed me how much support there is for breast cancer [awareness].”

BFOC was successful in terms of profit and turnout. They don’t have exact numbers yet on how much BFOC raised, but it is close to $4,400.

Tobin was happy with this year’s BFOC and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“There was definitely a huge turnout and raised money and awareness for our philanthropy,” she said. “It was touching to see our UD community come together to support such a great cause.”

Cover photo courtesy of Kayleigh Stanton