Sorority to pass out 30,000 breast cancer ribbons at Colts game

This Sunday, Zeta Tau Alpha is urging Colts fans to trade in their blue for pink.\nAs a part of ZTA’s “Think Pink” philanthropy event to raise awareness and education for breast cancer, sorority members will be passing out 30,000 pink ribbons at the Colts-Bucaneers game in downtown Indianapolis this weekend.\n“The message of the pink ribbon anywhere is recognition and remembrance of people who are struggling or (have) passed away from breast cancer,” said Ashley Spataro, ZTA’s assistant philanthropy chair. “It’s a symbol of what we’re doing and what everyone’s doing with the fight (against) breast cancer.”\nWomen for Colts, an organization that includes wives of Colts players, will help man the gates and pass out ribbons with ZTA.\nThe national chapter of ZTA paired with the NFL in 1997 to promote breast cancer awareness. This will be the second time the Colts have participated in this particular philanthropic event.\nZTA member Lauren Roberts said the alliance is a huge partnership for a huge cause.\n“(Breast cancer) can so easily affect any of us,” Roberts said.\nRoberts said raising awareness in general is important, because one in eight women will be diagnosed. But this philanthropy event is specifically important to her because of the loss of a grandmother and the diagnosis of another family member.\nBringing breast cancer awareness to a new audience through the NFL on a big screen and to the screens of fans watching at home will be an “amazing” feat for ZTA and for the fight against breast cancer, Spataro said.\n“It’s (important) to see young people out there trying to make a difference and trying to do something good,” ZTA Philanthropy Chair Sara Wortinger said.\nShe said it was important to show that ZTA’s philanthropy extends beyond the confines of Bloomington and to publicize Big Man On Campus, ZTA’s annual all-male talent show. All the proceeds of BMOC go to the ZTA Foundation, which benefits breast cancer awareness and education programs, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure.\nRoberts said even though people “generally wouldn’t associate NFL with breast cancer,” the game will be a good outlet for the organization.\n“It’ll just make people really aware of how commonly it can affect people,” she said. “Everyone’s had a mother, a neighbor, a sibling affected. (This will show) they haven’t lost their battle in vain.”