Purdue to be "painted" purple for cancer awareness
During the week of March 28, purple -- the signature color of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life -- will adorn trees around campus and the Purdue home page.
As part of Colleges Against Cancer's Paint Campus Purple Week, events will be held to help increase cancer awareness and to promote Purdue Relay for Life, which will be April 9-10.
Relay for Life brings together more than 3.5 million people annually across the country to celebrate those who have battled cancer.
Jo Gelfand, intra/extramural relations administrator for Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, advisor for Tau Beta Sigma and Purdue Bands alumna, joined Purdue's Relay for Life in 2007 as the biomedical engineering team's survivor. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer twice, Gelfand knows the importance of supporting Purdue Relay.
"Until 2004, I pretty much believed myself invulnerable to cancer," Gelfand says. "I was asymptomatic, so the diagnosis came as a shock. The second diagnosis still seems somewhat unreal, but it was then that I knew I was vulnerable. That is why Relay is so important -- everyone needs to be aware that cancer can affect anyone at any time."
This year Gelfand will join Purdue Drumline team as their survivor for the second consecutive year. She will walk in the relay and provide food, camping gear and moral support to her team members as they work toward their $10,000 fundraising goal.
"Not only is this a huge fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, but also it is a great opportunity to educate our community about cancer and the vital research that is being done," Gelfand says.
Paint Campus Purple events:
Monday (March 28) -- Wear a purple shirt day. Those who wear purple shirts to Silver Dipper will receive a free scoop of purple ice cream any day during Paint Campus Purple Week.
Tuesday (March 29) -- A cancer survivor will share her story at 7 p.m. in Stewart Center, Room 313. Refreshments will be provided.
Wednesday (March 30) -- An information table will be outside Class of 1950 Lecture Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. promoting Purdue Relay with giveaways.
Thursday (March 31) -- Qdoba Mexican Grill will donate 20 percent of profits to Relay for Life upon presentation of a flier, which can be obtained from the Purdue Colleges Against Cancer page on Facebook.
Friday (April 1) -- HotBox Pizza will donate a portion of profits to Relay for Life.
Saturday (April 2) -- Jake's Roadhouse will accept voluntary cover charges. All proceeds will go to Relay for Life. Free giveaways will begin at 9 p.m.
For more information about Paint Campus Purple Week, visit Purdue Colleges Against Cancer page on Facebook.
To create or join a Purdue Relay for Life team or to make a donation, visit www.relay.org/purdueuin. There is a $10 registration fee. All funds collected go toward cancer research and education.
