Hundreds participate in Kappa Kappa Gamma’s annual walk to prevent breast cancer

Fairfield Way was a sea of pink as students and parents gathered to partake in the annual walk to prevent breast cancer Sunday funded by Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Despite predictions of rain, there was not a cloud in the sky as a little over 400 people began the loop around campus.

Whole sororities and fraternities came out to encourage their fellow sisters, and parents proudly participated to support their daughters’ cause.

Carie Carson was out with her daughter Nicole to support the walk. “[Nicole’s] twin is in Kappa Kappa Gamma… it is our second year doing the walk.” She said though she does not have any personal connections to breast cancer, it is an important initiative that she is happy and proud to support.

Sophomore Colleen Barnhart and freshman Alex Rice were working the event for Kappa, collecting donations from cars and passers by. In their pink ‘Fight Like a Girl’ T-shirts, they were working for a cause and having a great time doing so.

Barnhart said that her favorite part is how “everyone comes out to support each other.” Barnhart holds this cause dear to her heart because her stepmother is a breast cancer survivor. It makes the event all the more special that it takes place on family weekend so that her stepmom can come up and participate.

Rice is Barnhart’s “little sister.” Participating in her first walk, she enjoyed every minute and getting involved in the cause. She said that the philanthropic work that Kappa does is awesome and she loves being a part of it.

The walk ended with a barbeque for the girls and their families, when the Academic Awards from last year were presented. A lot of effort went into planning the event and the people involved were very proud.

According to Kappa Philanthropy Chair Ally Foster, who was busy counting the donations, the event made over $4,000 from the fees for the walk and donations collected around campus.

All funds go to “Friends For Earlier Breast Cancer Tests.” “It’s an organization that provides breast cancer tests and funds breast cancer research,” said Foster.

Ashley Radcliffe, Kappa’s public relations director, said that they chose to support breast cancer research because it is something, “All women can relate to. Probably everyone here has been affected by it in some way.”

“It’s something that we are really proud of I like that it’s on parents weekend,” said Radcliffe. “I think that makes it really unique it’s a great way to show our parents what we do because a lot of times people have negative stereotypes and stuff like that this is one of my favorite days because it brings everyone together and shows them what we do.”

Kappa Kappa Gamma has several events planned for the year. Their next one will be a fundraiser at Wally’s to support the Special Olympics in Connecticut.