Breastival raises awareness for breast cancer

Students celebrated Breastival on Thursday. Students in attendance were able to learn about early prevention for breast cancer and ways to stay healthy. (George Yanez)

Updated: 1:24 a.m.

Boobs, jugs, knockers or just plain breasts—whatever the name, they were on the mind on Thursday.

GMU celebrated its annual Breastival Thursday in North Plaza. The event, which took place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. was created to help promote breast cancer awareness, and to teach students how to detect early warning signs of the deadly disease.

“[Students] love it. They love the t-shirts, they love the information and they’re really playing the games and going to the vendors to get information, [and] learning how to do self exams,” said Danielle Lapierre, assistant director of the Office of Alcohol, Drug & Health Education, in regards to Breastival.

Students who participated and went to information booths and participated in games, such as tic-tac-toe and pin the nipple, were able to receive free Breastival shirts that featured an owl saying “Save the hooters.” By 11 a.m. they had run out of shirts and were giving away black bags that said, “Check your bags to prevent breast cancer.”

Volunteers at the festival all had one common goal: promote healthy lifestyles and spread awareness.

"Since I’m part of the nursing program we always have to promote [the] well-being [of people]…especially in public health,” said Erika Zeidler, a senior nursing major.

“The big thing [about catching cancer early on] is knowing your normal and seeing what has changed. The main thing is we want people to do is actually go ahead and look at themselves and feel themselves to know what’s different,” said Zeidler.

Though Zeidler is aware that the topic is cliché to many people, she said once people break through that barrier she hopes they will began doing self-exams.

Also at the Breastival was the American Institute for Cancer Research.

“We are here at the Breastival to help promote breast [cancer] awareness. . .and trying to spread the message about healthy lifestyle choices and the ways you can reduce your risk of cancer,” said Chelsea Rominiecki, a representative from the group.

Vendors at the event passed out pamphlets and brochures on proper ways to do self-exams, as well as literature on healthy lifestyles.