Riverside, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2018)— A group of California Baptist University students observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month by writing letters of encouragement for individuals battling breast cancer.

The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) student chapter at CBU arranged the gathering on Oct. 25. The group of students met in an apartment in Lancer Arms that was decorated with bright pink ribbons and balloons that symbolize represent Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants received ribbons, stickers and other art supplies to help them personalize their letters.

The club members plan to distribute the personalized letters to patients at Riverside Community Hospital.

Emely Duran, AMWA president, said the goal of the event was to send out as many letters as possible.

Duran said she hopes the letters will bring encouragement.

“I think the letters will let them know that there is someone thinking about them,” said Duran, a biology junior. “There could be that one person or that one letter they could read and think, ‘wow, this person really cared about what I’m going through.’”

Ashley Dominguez, a biology junior, said she has family members who have gone through cancer treatment. For the letters she penned, her sentiments were aimed at letting patients know they are not alone.