In the weekly magazine, “Life ‘ Style,” celebrities including Hilary Swank, Lisa Kudrow and Salma Hayek showcased their support for Breast Cancer Awareness month this October by wearing pink clothing and accessories.

Informal interviews with students show that celebrities, as well as Fairfield students, choose fashion accessories not only to display their support, but also to help the cause by purchasing the merchandise. Katie Tracia ‘06 owns a Vera Bradley handbag in yellow with breast cancer ribbons within the pattern of the bag.

“Originally, I really liked the pattern and the color, but when I realized it was for breast cancer, I was like ‘oh my god, I’m definitely going to get it,’” said Tracia.

Andrea McCarthy ‘06 also showed that she supports breast cancer through fashion accessories. McCarthy keeps a pin with the breast cancer ribbon on a shelf next to her bed.

“My grandmother had breast cancer,” she said. “And I thought I should keep the pin and keep my awareness and support for breast cancer research alive.”

Joe Valente ‘06 also showed his support for breast cancer through fashion.

“I bought a ribbon once from this guy selling them for five dollars,” said Valente. “Even though it might have been a scam, and the money probably didn’t go any further than the guy’s pocket, I thought I was doing a good deed. It made me feel very empathetic toward women who have suffered.”

Sasha Steward ‘06 said she owns a pink wristband that says “share beauty, spread hope.” She received the bracelet from her friend’s mother, who is a breast cancer survivor.

Target has created a complete line of breast cancer awareness products including the wristbands, according to Sarah Moser and Amy Parker, Special Projects Editors of The Pendulum Online.

Target’s online shopping website, www.target.com, is currently offering jewelry, clothing, accessories and gifts at discount prices, and 100 percent of the profit goes directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Foundation is “dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and genetic research in the U.S. and abroad.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States in 2005, and breast cancer will cause about 40,410 deaths.