BMOC is intended to spread information on all aspects of breast cancer, including prevention and survivor wellness, according to the event’s website.
Liz Grote, a junior studying marketing, and Lauren Skertich, a junior studying apparel merchandising and business, are the co-philanthropy chairs of Zeta Tau Alpha.
“Within our chapter, we have women speak to us about their experiences with breast cancer and this year, we hosted a survivors’ brunch to meet even more women who have battled this disease,” Grote said.
Grote and Skertich oversee 12 committees within Zeta Tau Alpha, as well as the BMOC talent show.
“The event itself includes an all-male talent show compiled of 22 men from different fraternities and organizations on campus,” Grote said. “Each contestant raises money themselves and competes for the title of this year’s ‘Big Man On Campus.’”
In addition to the talent show, the event will feature musical performances by Another Round and InMotion, as well as an online silent auction.
The auction, which is sponsored by Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream, Bucceto’s and Wristband Bros, will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, according to the event’s website.
Grote said each year, a set amount of the funds raised are donated to the NFL Pink Ribbon Project.
The additional money is given to a select doctor at the IU Medical Center to fund the doctor’s research.
“At the beginning of every year, our chapter votes on the particular doctor and proposal for our funds to be donated to,” Grote said.
This year, Grote said the chapter chose Dr. Hari Naksshatri, who will be researching an early detection tool for women who do not have a family history of breast cancer.
Grote said after witnessing the positive outcome of the work she and her sisters put into BMOC last year, she was inspired to take a more prominent role in the event this year.
“It was amazing to see a whole house come together to do something that could touch so many people, especially mothers, sisters, aunts and friends that are close to us,” Grote said.
Although she does not have a personal connection to breast cancer, Grote said she wants to do everything she can to ensure that her loved ones remain healthy and free of cancer.
Skertich, on the other hand, said much of her desire to take on a leading role in BMOC comes from a more personal place.
“My senior year of high school, my grandma was diagnosed with this disease around 84 years old,” Skertich said. “With her being a little bit older than others who have had breast cancer, she was lucky enough for it not to affect her as much.”
Skertich also said two of her high school dance coaches, twins, were diagnosed with breast cancer.
In addition to her experience with the disease, Skertich said her involvement with last year’s BMOC encouraged her to do more this year.
“I saw my mom in the house, Ellen Wynn, as philanthropy chair last year and was completely inspired by what she did for this organization and was hoping I could do the same and more for this year,” Skertich said.
Grote said the most challenging aspect of organizing BMOC is balancing fundraising and preparation for the talent show.
“Many times, the show falls on the backburner when worrying about how we will raise the funds this year,” Grote said.
Despite this, Grote and Skertich agreed the most significant part of BMOC cannot be counted in the same way.
“At the end of the day it is not about how much money we have raised, but how many people we have provided new information about breast cancer with,” Grote said. “Either way, our goal is to be one step closer to making pink just a color again and by eliminating this cancer for good.“
