The fact about breast cancer is that it affects everyone. In the 1990s, approximately 1.8 million women and 12,000 men were diagnosed with it.

Approximately 40,800 women and 400 men will die of breast cancer in this year alone. Breast cancer is the leading cancer among American women and is the second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.

In addition to funding research for breast cancer, the Susan G. Komen Foundation also funds community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects and programs for individuals with inadequate medically coverage.

“The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has granted us funding to start the Breast Health Program here at Nicholls,” Kim Brannagan, director of the Breast Health Program at Nicholls, said.

“The program started Aug. 30 for Nicholls’ Welcome Back Day. Information was given out for the STEP up to test your knowledge, the first event of the program.

“On Oct. 3, 10 and 17, we will ask students, faculty and staff to wear pink ribbons. The second event will be the Race for the Cure.

“The program will ask that any person who wants to participate can join Nicholls’ On-the-Geaux to Support Breast Cancer Research on Oct. 20 in Peltier Park.”

The third event is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month Luncheon Seminar. The free lunch will include many guests, such as a breast cancer survivor and a dietician.

“The fourth event of the program will be the Nicholls’ Annual Family Day that will sponsor a game booth, where winners will be awarded stadium cups with the NSU STEPS logo,” Brannagan said.

“The final event will be in March of 2002, the Women’s History Month and Women’s Health Day. Nicholls will participate in many activities on those days,” Brannagan said.

“The program is a wonderful opportunity to learn as much as everyone needs to know and people who participate can pass on the information to prevent the spread of breast cancer,” Brannagan said.