Across the nation on Friday, October 8, people will be wearing denim and pink in observance of National Denim Day, a fundraiser sponsored by Lee Jeans to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Everyone is asked to donate five dollars to any local participating organization, be it the company they work for or the school they attend. With 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Denim Day is the largest single-day fundraiser for breast cancer in the world. This will be the ninth consecutive year that Lee has sponsored Denim Day.In its first year, the company raised an amount of $1.4 million, greatly exceeding the goal of one million dollars.Since then, the effort has grown every year. Last year was Lee’s most productive to date when the company raised $7.4 million. The money raised is used for cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs by the Komen Foundation.Since the Foundation was created over 20 years ago, it has been working towards eradicating breast cancer. Through events, such as Denim Day and the Race for a Cure series, the Komen Foundation raises tens of millions of dollars a year, with at least 75 percent going toward fighting breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. The number one risk factor for getting it is being a woman, which means that every woman is at risk. It is projected that approximately 216,000 women will be diagnosed this year, and 40,000 will die.If breast cancer is caught early, there is a much greater chance of survival. Therefore, it is important that people, especially women, are aware of the disease and its symptoms. Due to the importance of the issues, the Breast Cancer Awareness Coalition (BCAC) was proud to be involved in Friday’s events. Colgate students were encouraged to wear jeans and pink polos and donate at stations set up in the O’Connor Campus Center, Frank Dining Hall, Center for Women’s Studies and other locations around campus. “Every dollar can help,” BCAC senior president Elisha Seaton said. From 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, there was an Awareness Celebration in the Center for Women’s Studies.Campus groups, such as the Swinging Gates and Total Praise, sang, and everyone was invited to share stories of their experiences with breast cancer. “The local businesses have been really supportive,” Women’s Studies Program Assistant Tamara Sarrano said. “They donated food … We even got Subway to participate.” The BCAC anticipated that at least 70 percent of the campus would remember to support the cause by wearing denim and pink.