Employees at more than 150 businesses are wearing jeans to work Friday in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Employees at more than 150 businesses are wearing jeans to work Friday in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A fundraiser called “It’s All in the Jeans Day” that kicks off in October is dedicated to survivors, fighters and those who died from breast cancer. Organizations around the University are hosting events to raise awareness.

“It’s All in the Jeans Day” is the second part of the Provena Covenant Medical Center Foundation’s Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. Through this event, employees can to wear jeans for a $5 donation, said Julie Melton, developmental specialist at Provena.

The first part of this campaign was an event held Sept. 27 called “Laugh Your Pants Off: Breast Cancer Comedy Benefit”, held at the Virginia Theatre in Urbana.

Melton said the goal for the two combined events is to raise $60,000 in support of breast cancer. She said she organized the event along with 12 volunteers who are survivors themselves.

“It’s a fun way to support all the survivors and enjoy the night,” Melton said. “Laughter is the best medicine so it was a way to lighten the mood and still raise support.”

Registered student organizations are also sponsoring their own events throughout the month of October.

Sara Zanghi, senior in Business and president of Colleges Against Cancer, said the group is finalizing the details of its Breast Cancer Awareness week and is excited to educate the community on the importance of breast cancer awareness.

“It’s going to be the week of Oct. 12–16, and we’ll be selling short and long–sleeved shirts on the Quad from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day,” Zanghi said. “We will have plenty of educational and informational pamphlets and ways to advocate the importance of breast cancer awareness.”

Some students said they are excited to participate and support the cause as campus events start taking place.

“There’s only so much we can do because we’re just students,” said Jessica Williams, freshman in Engineering. “The events are in support of a great cause especially since there is so many people affected by this. It’s great that we can help out in some way.”

Another local event is the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk hosted by the American Cancer Society. Making Strides will take place at 9 a.m. Oct. 17 at Crystal Lake Park in Urbana.

“It’s an opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors, remember people we have lost, and raise funds and awareness to help end this disease,” Zanghi said.