Fighting Pretty Empowers Women Living With Cancer

Fighting Pretty, a nationwide non-profit providing aid to women living with cancer has started a chapter here at Bradley. President Aly Watkins first saw Fighting Pretty through Instagram where a mutual friend shared a post from the University of Missouri. She reached out to classmates who might be interested in helping start the organization on campus.

Alongside Watkins, six other students serve on the executive board. All the officers felt drawn to Fighting Pretty because each had been personally affected by the disease. “I recently lost my aunt to cancer and I knew what it was like to see someone’s health decline,” shared sophomore Taylor Zvonik.

Fighting Pretty throws fundraisers throughout the school year to raise money for care packages that include feminine items such as makeup, jewelry and other accessories to help boost the patient’s confidence. “We must focus not just on their physical health but their mental health and making them feel beautiful,” said junior Georgina Buckland. 

The students had their first fundraiser during Valentine’s week where students could purchase a can of Crush soda and send it to someone special. Rubber ducks were sold during midterms with a positive message attached. They also plan on doing a fundraiser competition against other chapters from different universities to raise awareness for the organization.

On March 21, Fighting Pretty held a nationwide fundraiser through Panda Express, in which proceeds from the purchase of meals that day were donated to Fighting Pretty. They are now in the process of assembling care packages in hopes of sending them before the end of the semester.

Fighting Pretty meets biweekly at 6:30 in BECC 2160. For more information about the organization or to donate, please contact them on Instagram @fightingpretty_bradley.

— Adalia Yeung

Like this story? We've got lots more at Here's the Latest.