ITTA BENA-- Few people are aware that October doubles as Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness month. Mississippi Valley State University’s Department of Social Work is working to change that by bringing awareness to both causes with two special events.
The Department has teamed up with the MVSU Social Work Club and the Alpha Delta Honor Society to host its 4th annual “Domestic Violence Awareness Walk” and its 3rd annual “Pink Out” event, designed to raise awareness about breast cancer.
The walk is slated from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Line-up will begin at 10:45 a.m. in front of the William Sutton Administration Building.
Everyone is encouraged to show their support by wearing purple or blue.
Individuals are asked to sport pink apparel during the “Pink Out” event, which will be hosted from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 31, in Room 108 of the William Sutton Administration Building.
Both events are free and open to the general public.
According to MVSU Associate Professor of Social Work and Lucille Durham-Lacy, one the events’ organizers, both issues affect the local community and demand attention.
“In the Department of Social Work, one of our goals is to bring awareness to pertinent social issues,” she said. “Normally, individuals only think about breast cancer awareness during the month of October, but domestic violence is also an issue that impacts in our community and across the globe.”
Both events will be used as a platform to educate the public, Durham-Lacy said.
A brief program will be held prior to the Domestic Violence Awareness Walk that will feature three survivors.
The “Pink Out” event will be highlighted by a keynote address from breast cancer survivor Sherri Felder-Reeves of Lexington, MS.
In addition to bringing awareness, the event will also inform individuals about the warning signs of breast cancer and prevention.
Also a breast cancer survivor, Durham-Lacy knows first-hand that the information shared could be life-saving.
“Our goal is to make everyone aware that breast cancer is out there and it not only affects females but males as well,” she said. “You can never bring enough awareness to this issue. Breast cancer is something that can impact every single person on this earth at any moment.”
While the events are just one day, Durham-Lacy hopes it will ignite a dialogue that will prompt awareness year-round.
“Our hope is that through these events we can educate individuals and motivate them to bring awareness the remaining 364 days of the year,” she said.
“Every year we’ve seen a slight increase in both of these events and we’re hoping for the same this year as well.”
For questions or more information, contact organizers Durham-Lacy at (662) 254-3372; Latosha Ceasar at (662) 254-3055; or Chetara Epps (662) 254-3054.