For Honors Student Organization President-Elect Sarah Martin, a junior early education major, family inspiration is the reason she is motivated to lead the honors program’s annual Pink Feet event series, which benefits breast cancer awareness.

“I have an aunt that’s in 15 years of remission,” Martin said. “That’s why I do it and lead it every year.”

The month of October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness for people who have survived, are currently battling and those who may have lost their fight. To bring attention to the cause, the Honors Program is hosting various events and fundraising opportunities on campus throughout the week.

Nicolette Jones, senior sports, arts and entertainment management major and Honors Student organization (HSO) president, thinks it is important for the program to be involved during breast cancer awareness month.

“I feel like a lot of people have some kind of connection to [breast cancer],” Jones said. “Whether they know a friend or a family member that has either successfully battled it or not successfully battled it.”

All of these events will benefit the Pittsburgh chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“I think that community is really important. It’s the heart of connecting to each other,” said Kelly Tran, Honors Program Pink Feet committee member and freshman cinema production major. “I think that working together for a singular selfless cause is really important.”

Starting this week off was a bake sale held on Oct. 24., following in evening was a karaoke night in the JVH auditorium.

Later on in the week, the Honors Program will host a pink-themed picnic for the annual PINKnic beginning at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27 in Village Park. Other clubs, including HerCampus and Pay It Forward, have also taken part in putting on this event.

The evening will consist of various games centered on breast cancer awareness, like a bra toss. There will also be an opportunity to pie a professor in the face. Students can also enjoy face painting, a makeover booth with pink hair chalk and a Chinese auction.

“We’re just encouraging people that if they have something pink, wear it,” Jones said.

For the Pink Feet finale, the program will present a gala night on Oct. 28 from 6-9 p.m. in Student Center 701. The idea is based off a homecoming dance for students to come and enjoy music from the DJ.

“We’re advertising it as ‘wear your own homecoming dress, or wear something you already have,’” Jones said. “It will be a fun night of dancing.”

Upon entry, Jones said they are asking for a $1 donation for fundraising efforts.

Point Park Honors Program is also competing against other local universities to see which school can raise the most money. Martin said the purpose of this on-going tradition is to raise as much money for a good cause through a light-hearted competition.

“The past couple years we’ve been runner up,” Jones said. “We’re really trying to be that first place fundraiser.”

Martin said the goal is to reach a total to hit of $2,500.

“We’re not close yet, but we’re getting there,” she said.

Another aspect Martin and Jones are looking forward to providing is more knowledge about the statistics and detection of breast cancer.

“I’m hoping [students] will get the important information to get checked,” Martin said. “And it’s not only like females that get it, but it’s also males.”

The Honors Program had other events earlier in the week to fundraise for breast cancer awareness, like a karaoke night and a bake sale. They put on other events throughout the month of October including a Books for Boobs, Shoot for a Cure and a painting with a twist night.

If interested in attending or for more information on these events, visit the Honors Program Facebook page.