by Naomi Coggs, Oakwood University student writer
On October 29, Oakwood's NAACP Chapter hosted a balloon release in front of the Monument to Service, as a tribute to victims and survivors of both breast cancer and domestic violence. This event closed out a month of breast cancer and domestic violence awareness, while keeping students informed about risks and prevention.
Breast cancer survivor, author, WEUP DJ, and Oakwood alumnus, Micah Logan '04, shared her powerful and encouraging testimony to attendees.
"The significance of this event and having a survivor come speak to us comes from the impact that those two causes have had on the black community specifically. According to statistics, black women have a higher mortality rate when it comes to breast cancer than any other race. The leading causes for that are lack of access to adequate mammography centers, lack of usual health care providers, as well as lower incomes. We wanted to support, commemorate, and educate individuals with those statistics as well as to give release to all of those who have been impacted or influenced by domestic violence or breast cancer," explained NAACP Chapter President, Christopher Johnson.
The program ended with students writing the names of individuals who have been affected by breast cancer or domestic violence on a pink or purple balloon. After a moment of silence to commemorate the victims, the balloons were released into the air, leaving the sky full of balloons as a sign of support, honor, and hope. (Photo by Julian Magloire)
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Thursday, November 12th 2015 at 2:13PM
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