In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Montclair State University students gathered at the home of the New York Giants and Jets to make a difference for breast cancer.
American Cancer Society held its annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday, Oct. 22. at MetLife Stadium. Montclair State RecBoard formed a team to attend this event and was able to raise $358.
Linda’s Lassies tailgates before the walk and gets energy high before starting the 3 miles.
Erin Lawlor | The Montclarion
Maurice Jenkins, the community service chair for RecBoard and a junior sports communications major, explained what made this event different from last year.
“In my experience, this year’s walk was different because of the location,” Jenkins said. “We went to MetLife Stadium this year and last year was Liberty State Park. The atmosphere was slightly different because we were in a stadium. It was more inclusive. Since I planned it, I got to see it come to fruition.”
Montclair State Students gathered at MetLife Stadium in recognition of the cancer awareness walk.
Erin Lawlor | The Montclarion
Jenkins also described the cheerful atmosphere that took over the stadium.
“There were a lot of people there,” Jenkins said. “They were real go-getters, a lot of people whistling, yelling and screaming. It was a great atmosphere and environment.”
Maurice Jenkins, a junior sports communications major and RecBoard’s community service chair, talks about the outcome of the cancer awareness walk.
Erin Lawlor | The Montclarion
Mirna Kotb, a senior exercise science major, shared her thoughts on why Breast Cancer Awareness Month is so important.
“I have had two family members who were affected by it,” Kotb said. “Personally, I think it is a good way to raise awareness about such a personal cause because so many people get affected by it.”
Students were joined by other New Jersey residents, like Alicia Malatesta, a breast cancer survivor, who spoke about what it symbolizes to be part of events like this one.
“[Walks like these] mean everything to me,” Malatesta said. “It raises money for cancer research and also for our treatment assistance for patients who need help with food and transportation.”
Malatesta was diagnosed last November and is undergoing a double lumpectomy this month. She also shared how she felt during her chemo.
“It is difficult to drive when you’re undergoing treatment,” Malatesta said. “You get really nauseous and dizzy when you’re getting chemo. I haven’t been able to drive for the four or five months I was undergoing treatment.”
Patrons sign the HOPE sign before the walk begins.
Erin Lawlor | The Montclarion
Fundraisers, walks and events to support and raise awareness go on all month long. Dylan Alvarez, president of Theta Xi and a senior hospitality, sports, events and tourism major, shared what Theta Xi has been doing for breast cancer awareness month.
“We did a ‘Dare a Theta Xi,'” Alvarez said. “We did dares to raise money and donate to the cause.”
Dylan Alvarez, a senior hospitality, sports, events and tourism major, believes spreading awareness through campus is important.
Erin Lawlor | The Montclarion
Alvarez thinks events like these are important to do on the Montclair State campus to spread awareness to all students, staff and faculty.
“A lot of people aren’t aware of the severity of the illness,” Alvarez said. “If we all come together as a campus community and spread the awareness a lot more people will know.
