Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu 
Web site: www.shawnee.edu

             Shawnee State University athletes and employees are teaming up with Southern Ohio Medical Center to promote breast cancer awareness during SSU Homecoming activities on Saturday, Jan. 23.
             “Breast cancer is a topic that is important to our employees, faculty members, students, and student athletes,” SSU President Rita Rice Morris said. “It is something that is very real, and personal for us, as we’ve had friends, co-workers, and family members affected by this disease. In fact, several of our employees are cancer survivors. Some are currently in the middle of treatment. Helping to raise awareness is our way of supporting them and their families.”
             Thanks to a donation by the SOMC Cancer Center and the support of the SSU Student Programming Board, 1,000 fans who attend the women’s and men’s basketball games on Saturday, Jan. 23 will receive free “Pink Out!” shirts and will be asked to wear them during the games. Players are also wearing pink shoelaces. A crowd photo is scheduled for half-time of the women’s game, which begins at 2 p.m. Representatives from SOMC will also be on hand to provide breast cancer education.
             “We are thrilled to be able to team up with a community partner like this,” Wendi Waugh, director of the SOMC Cancer Center, said. “Breast cancer touches so many lives. We all know someone who has battled this disease. That’s what makes it so personal. It’s a topic that not only impacts the cancer center, or the hospital, it has touched every one of us.”
             Waugh explained that the Pink Out! event is one of two community activities this month geared toward breast cancer education and to help women in treatment. The SOMC Cancer Center, Dr. Vincent Scarpinato, Shawnee State University, Portsmouth Area Arts Council, and the Portsmouth West High School Vocal Department are also presenting “A Night of Broadway,” a benefit for the SOMC Breast Cancer Compassion Fund, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.
             Information about “A Night of Broadway” will be available at the Pink Out! event on Jan. 23. Anyone wanting to make a donation to the SOMC Breast Cancer Compassion Fund during the SSU Homecoming Pink Out! may do so. All donations to the Compassion Fund go directly to providing medicine, transportation, and special care items for breast cancer patients in need.