The series of events, which will include speeches and the construction of a remembrance quilt, are sponsored by Carolina Cancer Focus and the Alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority.
Leaders of CCF said the main focus of the week is to educate college students about the threat of cancer. "We want to create awareness on the campus that cancer can affect students," said Lisa Wald, a junior psychology major and CCF chairwoman.
Jim Dogget, a sophomore political science major and education chairman for CCF, said that with so many other awareness weeks on campus, emphasizing the importance of cancer prevention is crucial. "I realize there is a lot of backlash against awareness weeks, but hopefully, we'll have one that is very relevant to students," he said.
Jheanne Malit, a junior international studies major and vice president of service for Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, said the sorority, which holds its own annual focus on breast cancer, connected with CCF by planning a showing of "Stepmom" in the Union Film Auditorium.
"We were planning our cancer awareness week with the Union Activities Board, and CCF was doing the same thing, so we decided to join together," she said.
Both Alpha Kappa Delta Phi and CCF will be in the Pit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday with information on cancer detection and prevention and raising money for the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation through doughnut and pin sales.
Students dropping by the Pit will also be able to make a patch to be sewn into a cancer remembrance quilt, which will honor the memories of those who have died from cancer.
Dogget said the experience of sponsoring the event last year helped in planning events for the week that will attract students. "Last year was our first year, so we've learned a lot of things."
UNC journalism Professor Chuck Stone, a prostate cancer survivor, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Union Cabaret.
