A pink treadmill stands out from the others lined up in the fitness room at the Marcovich Wellness Center. But its unique color is not just for contrast, it's for a good cause: raising money and awareness for breast cancer research. 

“Breast cancer eventually touches everybody,” said Krisi Patterson, Assistant director of Campus Recreation. “So if I see you on a regular treadmill, I'll run over and say, 'Hey, get over on that pink one!' That's why we placed it in the front of the fitness room.” 

Patterson came up with the idea after she saw an ad that Cybex, a company that manufactures exercise equipment, was donating 10 cents toward breast cancer research for each mile the treadmill is used during October. Since UWS buys a lot of their equipment from Cybex, Patterson thought a pink treadmill would be useful for future programming as well. 

And she was excited to use the treadmill as a tool for understanding the impact of breast cancer and for promoting awareness among students on the UWS campus. “Cancer doesn't discriminate,” Patterson said. “That's why I was excited to have one of our faculty, who is a breast cancer survivor, walk the first mile. Although it was hard [to discuss the cancer issue], it was neat to talk to someone who went through it.” 

UW-Superior has partnered with Colleges Against Cancer, Campus Recreation, Student Health and Counseling, the National Bank of Commerce and Cybex in the fundraising project. 

By Friday afternoon, the pink treadmill had logged 30 miles. In addition to walking for a good cause, students who participate can receive prizes. The campus recreation department has goody bags for the first 10 male and 10 female runners who log 50 miles on the pink treadmill. There are other items as well for those who participate. 

One UWS student felt her time on the treadmill was well spent.  “I decided to walk since it was for a good cause,” Whitney Zegarski said. “A woman came up to me and said, 'I just had surgery. Do you think I have to run? I really want to help.' I told her walking would be just fine. It was great she wanted to walk on it, because I think some people are scared of it. I want to say, 'Hey, get your act together! Use that pink one.'”

If you want to walk, jog or run on the pink treadmill to raise money for breast cancer research, just log your miles on a clipboard located on the wall in the MWC fitness room. The fundraising period continues through Oct. 31.