Komen On the Go raises breast cancer awareness

Volunteers passed out fliers with information about the foundation.

By Kristen Toner

Published Oct. 24, 2008

"We Will" was plastered all around Speaker's Circle on Thursday, as the Komen On the Go trailer stopped at MU. The area was invaded by the color pink with a trailer, flags and traffic cones.

Komen On the Go was developed in 2004 by Val Skinner because of the loss of her friend to breast cancer. She stressed that breast cancer is not just associated with older people, it affects the young, too.

The trailer is equipped with computers that allow students to understand the full extent of breast cancer and what Susan G. Komen wanted to establish.

It advocates the need for women to be examined regularly. Ninety percent of breast cancer patients will live if the detection is early enough, but not many know when to get help.

"The On the Go trailer is a way to empower and educate young women and men," team member Tara Reyka said.

So far, the trailer has been on the road for six straight months. In 2008, the trailer plans to make 150 stops. The crew members work year round and travel mainly to college campuses. This is the second year the trailer has been to MU.

Team member Nick Blake said it is the foundation's effort to engage students.

Volunteers passed out fliers about self-examinations along with information about the Susan G. Komen Foundation, statistics and survivor's stories.

Members have been trying to get the national government more involved in breast cancer.

The mid-Missouri affiliate of the foundation is trying to start a Race For the Cure in Columbia. It hopes this will happen sometime in 2010.

"So many people have been affected," mid-Missouri affiliate June Deweese said. "Not one person has not known someone who has been touched."

The mid-Missouri affiliate donates 75 percent of its money in grants to local organizations, while most of the rest goes to Dallas to aid in the research for the cure, Deweese said.

MU's chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority got involved in this demonstration by sending volunteers to help the team members and pass out pink ribbons. They also intend benefit the foundation by hosting a battle of the bands called Rockin' for the Ribbon on Nov. 13.

Others showed up to the rally to show their support, including Democratic Congressional candidate Judy Baker, who has advocated for health care and breast cancer for the last 20 years. She has been one of the many directly affected by breast cancer, with three survivors in her family.