Apr. 10--Within the past decade, said USC Aiken sophomore Erica Reed, both of her grandmothers, an aunt and a great-aunt underwent treatment for breast cancer.
"They're all survivors, all doing OK," she said. "One of my grandmothers got it back as back cancer, but she's fine now."
That experience led to Reed's decision to major in nursing. It's also why the Zeta Tau Alpha member joined other sorority sisters for the organization's annual Rock-A-Thon on Laurens Street Thursday, raising funds for research and promoting awareness of breast cancer. The Zeta Tau Alphas held up signs encouraging people to donate.
The Rock-A-Thon, located in front of Plum Pudding, continued through the night and will run until 10 a.m. today.
Breast cancer awareness and fundraising are the primary philanthropy for the national Zeta Tau Alpha organization. The disease has touched all the Zeta Tau Alpha members at USCA in some way, Laura Hutto said. The sorority sponsors a golf tournament each fall, with the Rock-A-Thon its second biggest fundraiser.
"Raising money for breast cancer awareness the last four years has become a part of me," Hutto said. "I'll graduate in May but plan to continue to be involved in raising money and awareness. It's fun, and it's a unique way to attract people's attention and flagging cars down."
That they did. Friends Susan Callahan and Nancy Reed were happy to contribute to the cause, both of them amused by signs like, "Honk 4 Healthy Hooters" and "Save the Tatas."
"It gets attention and so does their enthusiasm," Reed said "Hopefully, they will get a lot of money."
Nancy Wiesner and her husband had been visiting in Charleston and stopped in Aiken on the way home to Roswell, Ga. Weisner's mother-in-law, 86, is a breast cancer survivor. Weisner, too, made a donation, but her efforts are ongoing.
"I teach in a middle school, and we've been working on Relay For Life for the last month to raise funds for cancer research," she said. "I will do the Relay For Life walk next month."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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