Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Students paint the town pink with educational activities and a beautiful bra decorating contest

The Pink Out! event was educational with reading materials, testimonials from survivors, a pink ribbon display, and a beautiful bra decorating contest.

Group gathers for photo wearing the decorated bras they made at the event.
Tuesday’s Pink Out! event at UH Hilo recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month with educational activities and a beautiful bra decorating contest (worn over clothes!). In front row, from left, is 2nd place winner of the contest Cyrus Susaia, 1st place winner Skye Meltel, and 3rd place winner Vergil Henry. Back row, contestants Uʻilani Barongan, Jamie Nena, Lexie Tilton, Ariell Siliado, and Tuʻupua Helekahi. (Photo: Vanessa Carlson/Campus Center/UH Hilo)

By Susan Enright.

Pink ribbon
(MesserWoland/Wikipedia)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a group of students and staff at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo gathered yesterday at the Campus Center plaza to “paint the town pink.”

The Pink Out! event was educational with reading materials, testimonials from survivors, a pink ribbon display, and a “beautiful bra decorating contest” (worn over clothes!).

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 313,510 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. ACS also estimates 1,440 new breast cancer diagnoses in women in Hawaiʻi.

Activities at the event were designed to help students connect with the fight against breast cancer, ask questions and increase their knowledge on prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and caregiver support.

Three photos, two of students decorating bras, and one of the colorful decorated bras on display on a table with a bright pink cloth covering.
Cyrus Susaia (left) and Ariell Siliado (at right) compete in the bra decorating contest at UH Hilo’s Pink Out! event on Oct. 22, 2024. At center are a few more of the entries. (Photo: Vanessa Carlson/Campus Center/UH Hilo)
Two students manning a table of informational materials.
At the Pink Out! event are, from left, student volunteers Annelise Hogan and Antonio Miguel Vite, Oct. 22, 2024. (Photo: Vanessa Carlson/Campus Center/UH Hilo)
Two people at table at the event. A woman wears pink.
At the Pink Out! event are, from left, Adele Koyama, who is a former UH Hilo secretary now retied, and Resident Life Coordinator Kaleb Matthews, Oct. 22, 2024. (Photo: Vanessa Carlson/Campus Center/UH Hilo)
Wall of notes with pink ribbons tacked to lattice work.
Pink ribbons with heartfelt messages for friends and loved ones are on display at the Pink Out! event held at UH Hilo’s Campus Center Plaza on Oct. 22, 2024. (Photo: Vanessa Carlson/Campus Center/UH Hilo)

Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

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