In an effort to make sure every breast cancer fighter and survivor are honored, the Lifting Our Voices Everywhere (L.O.V.E.) Gospel Choir and the Mu Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. held a balloon release to honor all those who have been affected by the disease.

“Many of us here know someone who has had breast cancer,” said Keifran Melvin, travel administrator for Procurement Services and advisor to the L.O.V.E. Gospel Choir. “My experience comes from a family member who passed away and two family friends who are going strong. Sometimes you have to share the silence and tears. Being able to overcome it shows anything is possible with positivity and the power of prayer.”

The annual L.O.V.E. Goes Pink event takes place every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Members of the campus community are invited to write messages to honor breast cancer survivors and those who have lost their lives. The messages are then tied to pink balloons that are released into the heavens.

Chasity Blood, a 2020 graduate of UA Little Rock and member of the L.O.V.E. Gospel Choir, wrote a message for her cousin, Ruthie, a survivor.

“I like participating in this event because it spreads awareness of breast cancer,” Blood said. “We provide pamphlets for the public. We know breast cancer is hard to go through. We want to let them know that we support them and admire them as survivors.”

Donnecia Brown, a senior sociology major, said she wrote a message in honor of her aunt, Maude Rogers. Every year, Brown’s family holds a celebration with a walk and t-shirts to celebrate Rogers’ survival from breast cancer.

“She loves that we come together as a family to celebrate that she beat cancer,” Brown said. “I want those with breast cancer to know that they can survive, that God doesn’t put too much on their plates, and to keep fighting the fight.”