The Women's Outreach Center is encouraging students to dress in pink Thursday to increase awareness of breast cancer.

The center is calling the day "You've Been Pinked."

Volunteers will pass out gift bags containing with information regarding breast cancer and the importance of early detection to students who show support for the cause.

"You've Been Pinked' is a day of recognition for people who have been diagnosed, survived, or lost a loved one to breast cancer," said Krystal Lewis, graduate assistant for Women's Outreach Center.

Lewis said the ultimate goal of the day is to educate students about the risk factors of breast cancer and ways of prevention.

The first step in decreasing the risk of breast cancer is practicing a monthly breast self-exam, Lewis said. The bags, given to those in pink, will teach students how to properly conduct a self-exam and provide more information on early detection methods.

"Early detection can not be stressed enough," Lewis said. "It is effective, easy and something everyone - no matter what age - should do."

Rachael Stokes, international student from England and volunteer for the center, said "You've Been Pinked" is important to her because it allows her to volunteer information that is overlooked by college students.

"People our age can get breast cancer," Stokes said. "People get really embarrassed talking about it. If they are given the information, it triggers them to think about it."

Student support of the cause will promote students to take initiative in fighting the fatal disease, Lewis said. She said breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women.

Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, a National Asian Interest sorority, is also volunteering for "You've Been Pinked Day."

Kim Tran, vice president internal of Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, said the sorority's national philanthropy is the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Members of the sorority are volunteering to help spread overall awareness of breast cancer.

"It can happen to anybody no matter what age or race," Tran said.

According to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Web site, every woman is at risk for breast cancer. However, as the woman ages, her chances are greater.

Students in college think these facts only apply to women over 40 and not to themselves, Lewis said. They are putting themselves at risk by not taking appropriate steps towards prevention.

Quentin Hunter, men's resources intern at the Women's Outreach Center, said "You've Been Pinked" stresses the importance of early detection and other steps to be taken that lower the risk.

"We want to start habits that are life forming that could potentially save lives," he said.

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