October is a month filled with everything pink. It is a month for remembering survivors, fighters, and those who may battle breast cancer one day. It is a month to raise awareness for a cancer that affects one in every eight women and one in one-thousand men. By having my best friend's mom, a close family friend, and my grandmother all having breast cancer, I have been personally touched by stories of this disease. Breast Cancer is not the only cancer, but October to me represents the people we have lost to breast cancer and the ones who are fighting and have even beaten it. October means more to me than candy and Halloween Costumes and I have Zeta Tau Alpha to thank for that.
Every Greek organization has a philanthropy. Zeta Tau Alpha's philanthropy is Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. Going through recruitment, I was moved by all my chapter did to help raise awareness and money for this disease. Not only do we participate around the community in events such as the local Miracle Mile, but we also have fundraisers where we raise money to donate to this cause. ZTA partners with the NFL to raise awareness, Bright Pink for education, and the American Cancer Society to recognize survivors. Being a part of this organization will forever be one of the best things that has happened to me, but being a part of this organization during October has taught me so many things.
During October, you watch as your chapter comes together for one common goal. There are Pink Picnics and ribbons to pass out. There are BMOC competitions and tabling events. Through all of the events and one of the busiest months of a Zeta's life, we all make it through having come together as a chapter to raise money and awareness for our philanthropy.
My philanthropy has brought me into contact with women all across the world who know what Zeta Tau Alpha does for Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. There is no prouder feeling than to have someone tell you that you have made a difference in their life because of our love for our philanthropy. But the real truth is these women and men who have fought and are still fighting against breast cancer have made the biggest impact on every Zeta Tau Alpha's life. We work hard every year (and not just in October) for these survivors and fighters. They are the heroes of October and I couldn't be more proud to be a Zeta Tau Alpha.
