On Wednesday, Oct. 25, Zeta Tau Alpha hosted their 14th annual Shag-A-Thon. The Shag-A-Thon is an event to raise money for breast cancer awareness.
After buying an entry meal ticket, guests were able to enjoy a live band, dinner and a night full of Carolina shagging.
During the event, there were multiple small business vendors, many of which are run by Wofford students. There was also a raffle that costs $5 per entry. All the raffle products are donated, such as Caroline’s Cakes, and the earned revenue was added to the overall donation.
The Shag-A-Thon is not the only event ZTA has during breast cancer awareness month. Think Pink Week, which lasted from Oct. 9 to Oct. 13, promoted breast cancer awareness education. The sorority decorated the school, had a pink lunch and hosted a writing to survivors event.
In early October, ZTA also partnered with Wofford Asian American and Pacific Islanders for a breast cancer awareness boba bar. The proceeds went to the NABCI Foundation, a foundation for breast cancer awareness and Asian American women.
Rowan Sims ‘24, the ZTA philanthropy treasurer, mentioned how the chapter also partnered with the NFL for “Think Pink Week.” By working with organizations like WAAPI and the NFL, the chapter spread knowledge of the importance of getting tested to communities on and off campus.
“Our goal is to make it so pink is not just another color, but that it is associated with breast cancer education and awareness,” Sims said.
The fundraising goal for this year’s Shag-A-Thon event was $16,000. By the end of the night, they fundraised $24,000 and counting, as the chapter is still accepting donations following the event.
“Breast Cancer Awareness is the biggest part of our sorority for many many people because it hits so close to home,” ZTA President Emma Skelton ‘24 said. “We have a ton of people in our chapter who are related to survivors or who are prone to have breast cancer.”
They educate their members and the community on the importance of getting mammograms, checking yourself and checking your family history for breast cancer.
Because of the personal impact breast cancer has on so many, Skelton feels that the most important part of Shag-A-Thon is the survivor highlight. The sorority contacts survivors or those who are currently battling Breast Cancer to come and speak.
During the event, there is a time set aside to honor those who have survived and those who lost their battles. At this time, there is a moment of silence for those who have lost their battle. For those who are survivors, they are given a rose and a chance to share their story with others.
“The survivor spotlight makes me cry every year because a lot of the women who speak are related to someone in the chapter,” said Skelton. “It’s very powerful to see their story and how positive they are about the outcomes.”
The ZTA Shag-A-Thon is a way to unite the women here on campus with the women in the Spartanburg community and other communities through hearing stories about a battle only fought by women.
“It’s a women’s issue, so it brings us together no matter what,” said Skelton.
