In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Zeta Tau Alpha will be holding their annual ‘Think Pink’ events next week in order to raise money for breast cancer awareness and education.

“We usually raise around $3,000, this school year we are trying to raise $5,000,” ZTA president Mallory Roberson said.

‘Think Pink’ events will take place from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20.

“Everyday of ‘Think Pink’ week, we will be on the Oval from 10:30 [a.m.] to 1 [p.m.] doing different little things to raise money,” Roberson said.

ZTA will be selling pink lemonade for 50 cents, holding yogurt eating contests, and creating a ‘kiss away cancer’ board.

“With the ‘kiss away cancer’ board, people can come up, pay a dollar and they’ll get these big lips that they can write someone’s name on that’s either passed away or a survivor of cancer,” Roberson said.

“Yoplait teamed up with Zeta Tau Alpha, and every pink lid we turn in from the yogurt we sell, they will give us five cents towards breast cancer awareness and education.”

They will also be hosting an open mic night on Thurs., Oct. 18 in the Billingsly Student Center ballroom.

“You can pay $3 and write someone’s name down and a song and they have to get up there and sing it,” Roberson said. “The only exception is you can buy a bracelet for $5 when you first get there and the bracelet keeps you safe from having to sing anything.”

There will also be raffle prizes and first, second and third place prizes for the best karaoke performances, which will be judged by breast cancer survivors from the Joplin area.

‘Think Pink’ week will conclude at the pink out football game at MSSU on Oct. 20.

They will be selling ‘Think Pink’ T-shirts for $10 as well as pink balloons for a balloon release that will take place at half-time during the game.

According to Roberson, the money raised during ‘Think Pink’ week will be divided amongst multiple research organizations, such as Susan G. Komen, on behalf of the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation.

“We really just try to raise as much money as we can and get as many people involved and spread awareness, because the statistic is one in eight women will be diagnosed” Roberson said.