By: Mia Nicholson Public Relations Major ‘15

WASHINGTON D.C-   The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is amped for this year’s “Think Pink” games. All the athletic teams at Howard University participate in raising money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer fund, and this year is no different.

“Think Pink Initiative” is an NCAA sponsored partnership between the organization and all the member institutions. This year, Howard University will be collecting money during the Bison’s football games against Georgetown on October 15 and the homecoming game against Norfolk State on Oct. 22.

Since 2009, Howard University’s SAAC program has helped to raise a total of $1,907.25 for the foundation, in which they donated through the “Passionately Pink for the Cure,” a fundraising organization that raises money strictly for breast cancer research.

SAAC has reached its monetary goals by selling merchandise and asking for donations from students, alumni, celebrities and the community. Last year, SAAC sold pink “LiveStrong” bracelets at the home games to raise money. Howard University’s current goal has been set at $3,000 by the end of both the football and basketball seasons. What will they do when they reach their goal? “We are just going to keep raising the bar,” responds Howard SAAC coordinator Alexiss Robinson.

 “We need a cure,” added Robinson, SAAC coordinator since December 2010. “The student-athletes understand the importance and the impact that breast cancer has on the African American Community. Some of the student-athletes have first-hand experience dealing with breast cancer. Some of them have had family members that have gone through it.”

Robinson feels that there is a strong commitment from the HU students.

“They volunteer to do it all,” praises Robinson. “They wake up early to get stuff done, and don’t complain. No one forced them to fundraise and it’s not a requirement; they do it solely for knowing that they helped out a good cause.”

She continued, “I just really want the athletes to know how much I appreciate them and want to thank them for all their hard work. I want everyone who has donated or helped to know that it has gone to a good cause.”

If you would like to donate through SAAC to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, you can do so at either of the games or online on Howard University’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee “Passionately Pink” website by CLICKING HERE.