This being my second year organizing this event has led me to define my mission as a Side-Out Ambassador. Educating our youth was most definitely a priority of mine, but also getting them to converse and pass on their newly-found knowledge to others was my goal.
Learning More About Breast Cancer
For my educational hours, I choose to attend a Breast Cancer Seminar hosted by Sassy Ladies Passport to STEMulating Healthy Lifestyles called Tickled Pink. At this event, I was able to hear from Breast Cancer Survivors and Oncologists. This event was most enlightening as I was not only taught about the cancerous breast tissue cells, but offered much advice on how to aid loved ones during their battle.
Julie Scott, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP
Following that discussion, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer was spoken of as it is considered the most aggressive form of cancer and found in the majority of Hispanics and African Americans. Being that I go to a diverse school that consists of Hispanics, African American, Asian, Caucasian, etc., it was important to me to know how this could affect my community. Lastly, "The Red Devil" was highly discussed, as this chemo drug was used by three-fourths of the standing survivors. Through their teaching, I learned its purpose is to block the enzymes reproducing the cancerous cell which is how it gained the name “The Red Devil”.
After much discussion regarding Breast Cancer, I was able to hear what having breast cancer was like for theses survivors and listened to stories that still bring tears to my eyes. Learning how - within a matter of seconds - results had changed these women’s lives forever was truly emotional. To hear them talk about the grief of the soul that they thought they had lost due to a disease owned by millions was as though they were speaking of someone else, was unimaginable.
From student to advocate! Klein Forest's Side-Out Ambassador attended breast cancer seminars, learned from survivors and oncologists, then transformed that education into powerful community action. Ready to empower your students as educated advocates? Join the Ambassador program: https://side-out.org/dig-pink/ambassador-program/
To hear their struggles as what they once believed made them a woman slowly being taken away from them was bewildering. Their stories put me in shock. A few of them felt as though they were obligated to comfort their families and friends as though their disease was an inconvenience to others.
Turning Education Into Dig Pink® Action
This information that was given to me made impacted my Dig Pink planning. I focused on informing and starting a conversation, more than anything. I interacted with a lot of the stores and got them to donate a personalized basket to our Silent Auction and start a Pink Out Tradition of their own that made their workers aware and knowledgeable about breast cancer.
