Photo Courtesy of Zeta Tau Alpha Epsilon
By: Maddy Terril
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Oct. 1 marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) puts all of its philanthropic efforts towards breast cancer education and awareness all year, but especially during this month.
The Vice President of Philanthropy and Service, Mackenzie Miller, shared what this month means to her.
“The month of October is a month where Zetas get to dedicate time to bragging about the incredible impact we can have on our philanthropy,” Miller said.
ZTA gives back to this cause through service projects, fundraising, philanthropy events, handing out the pink ZTA ribbons, and more.
Each year the on-campus Zeta house is lit up with pink lights throughout the entire month.
In addition to illuminating their house, they will be hosting their annual Pink Pancake philanthropy event.
“On Oct. 24th the entire community can attend, along with other service projects and tabling on campus during our annual Think Pink week,” Miller said.
For Miller, this role is more than just a leadership position.
“I wanted to be the VP of Philanthropy because of my personal connection to breast cancer. This disease prevented me from ever getting to meet my grandmother and this position gives me the opportunity to honor her every single day,” Miller said.
The opportunity to serve in this role helps Miller feel connected to her.
She also recognized the deep connection she and the women in the sorority have to this cause.
“Breast cancer will affect 1 in 8 women during their lifetime,” Miller said.
A statistic that hits home for an organization made up of women.
Senior member Katherine Heyka, whose mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in the second semester of her freshman year, is grateful to be a part of an organization that supports women like her mom.
“Coming back in the spring, each of these events was so much more meaningful after my mom’s diagnosis, because I felt like I was doing it for her and making a difference in her life,” Heyka said.
The support Heyka felt from her sorority sisters helped her navigate the difficult moments being away from her family.
“My friends at Zeta showered me with encouragement and support. members were constantly uplifting me and telling me that my mom was in their thoughts and prayers,” Heyka said.
ZTA will be tabling at the union later this month, where students can pick up one of their ZTA pink ribbons to show their support.
