The Department of Health Education and Wellness will sponsor its first breast cancer awareness event Tuesday. The students and faculty of Mississippi State University will team up with the Starkville community to “paint the campus pink” in honor of breast cancer awareness.
Starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, a series of activities will take place starting in front of the Colvard Student Union.
Juleigh Baker, MSU’s campus health and wellness educator, is the coordinator of this special event. Baker said she hopes for a wonderful turn-out and that she  looks forward to sharing some valuable information with patrons.
“For the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. portion of the day’s event in front of the Colvard Student Union, we hope to have several hundred people stop by to learn more about breast cancer awareness and prevention,” she said. “Then for that afternoon from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Fun PINK Dawg Walk at Chadwick Lake near the Sanderson Center, we hope to have about 300 people come out to walk.”
Baker said attendees will have the opportunity to earn a free T-shirt, prizes for the best pink attire and door prizes as well.
Bethany Cooper from the American Cancer Society and Mandy Conrad, registered dietician for the Longest Student Health Center, will assist Baker with the event. Cooper has been involved with the ACS for eight years. She said she is a firm supporter of breast cancer awareness and plans to always be involved with the company in some way as it is a passion of hers.
“Education and research are the key to finding a cure. One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The funds raised at Relay for Life save lives by funding cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts and life-affirming patient services,” Cooper said. “It is because of your involvement that we are able to save lives, help those battling cancer, and empower all to fight back against the disease.”
 Cooper explained that the American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing the disease, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.
Conrad will be available to assist everyone with health and nutrition tips. Conrad said her interest in nutrition grew as she observed the relationship it had with both health and wellness, and she loves helping students better themselves both physically and mentally.
“We will be offering tips on how to make healthier choices with food in order to reduce cancer risks, providing recipes and recipe resource links, offering ideas to help combat nutritional complications of cancer and cancer treatment, as well as providing samples of healthy smoothies,” she said. “I enjoy helping individuals learn how they can take steps to improve their health and empower them to make healthier choices. There is always some small habit you can try on a daily basis that will provide health benefits. It is fun to help people learn about these and then realize how they are able to incorporate these healthy habits into their daily routine.”
According to http://www.health.msstate.edu/healthcenter/, Conrad’s individualized approach is what allows her to successfully help others take current nutrition recommendations and apply them to real life.