Most black women don’t know that they have the highest incidence rate among young women who… Most black women don’t know that they have the highest incidence rate among young women who get breast cancer.

That is what senior Dara Stoney said about Alpha Kappa Alpha’s purpose for Passionately Pink Week, which was held all of last week.

“Women’s health is very important and there are not a lot of preventative resources for our demographic,” she said.

The week’s events included a party for making pink T-shirts, a minority breast cancer awareness workshop and Friday’s Passionately Pink for the Cure rally.

Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha led student volunteers to Towers’ lobby and Sennott Square, where they handed out breast self-exam cards on Friday afternoon.

The 20 young women wore their tie-dyed pink T-shirts, with phrases on them like, “be aware,” “check yourself” and “for our moms.”

Sophomore Heather Sumpter approached students whizzing in and out of the busy lobby, asking them if they’d buy a wristband or lollipop to support breast cancer.

Students without money showed their support by signing their “Passionately Pink for the Cure” banner.

Sumpter said she hoped that the breast self exam handouts were taken seriously, and even if it only helped one person, she’d be satisfied.

“One person knowing is better than no one at all,” she said. “I don’t think people realize how important it is. It hits young people, too.”

Junior Solange Clarke, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and had to take two years off of school, helped organize the event.

She said the purpose hits close to home and that self exams can be the preventative answer.

“It takes all but two minutes to check yourself,” Solange said.

The group collected more than $200 for breast cancer throughout the week and plans on doing it again next year.

“I would just encourage all women on campus to be proactive about their health,” Stoney said.