“I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, but my insurance doesn’t cover it.” This is the statement sophomore communications major, Ashley James, was wearing on a poster board hanging over her shoulders.
UT students are taking a proactive part in Breast Cancer Awareness this month by creating a documentary titled “Stepping in Her Heels,” a project led by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated (AKA).
Junior business management major Nelka Decius is spearheading the documentary production. She said the various signs students are wearing are “hidden truths behind the breast.” One sign had the words, “I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, but I feel like I’m only acknowledged during the month of October.”
“Today [Oct. 18] we have 15 students helping us who have volunteered to make a difference on this campus [by raising awareness for breast cancer], and we’re really excited to have them,” Decius said. She said the students will wear the signs for 24 hours and will be interviewed to see what kind of feedback they received during that time.
“A lot of people aren’t aware of the things that aren’t covered by insurance.” She said the Affordable Care Act will get rid of lifetime caps for insurance coverage and wants to reveal the necessities needed by breast cancer victims, not only insurance, but support as well. “There are a lot of issues that breast cancer victims deal with, that we feel aren’t brought to light,” she said.
Junior English major Alexandra Orcel said she thought the project hosted by AKA was a good idea, but the signs confused her a little. “I wasn’t sure if I should approach the girl wearing the sign or not,” she said. She said one sign had the words, “I have breast cancer, but I’m a teenager” written on it.
“I wasn’t sure if these stories were true. Women aren’t supposed to get breast cancer that young,” Orcel said. “But they definitely got me thinking that these things can happen.” She said because she didn’t know if the person wearing the sign was the one affected by the cancer that she didn’t want to walk into a conversation about that topic. “I didn’t know what to say,” she said.
“Personally, when I got this sign I wasn’t aware that breast cancer treatment wasn’t covered under some people’s insurance,” James said. “I really think that this is a positive thing that I’m wearing this sign. That way when people walk by and see my sign they can see this [my message]. The fact that mammograms are not covered is wrong, so I am really enjoying wearing my sign today.” James said she learned a lot about the “truths behind the breast” by being a part of this project.
Senior communications major Janeesha Youmans said she is helping put the documentary together and getting other students involved in their project. She said they had more than 30 students sign up to go to the Tampa Bay Times Forum to take part in the walk for a cure on this past Saturday.
Decius said AKA will kick off “Stepping in Her Heels” on Oct. 29, 2012. She hopes this project raises awareness of the problems breast cancer victims face on a daily basis. “If you want to know more about what we call the ‘truth behind the breast’ you can by being a part of this project,” she said.
Kelly St. Onge can be reached at Kelly.St.Onge@theminaretonline.com.