Concordia celebrates Pink Week

Pink Week activities at Concordia to raise breast cancer awareness began Monday, Oct. 21, with a presentation by breast cancer survivor Mandi Flood.

“We are pleased to welcome Mandi to campus. Not only is she a cancer survivor; she is a life-promoter,” Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, president of Concordia University, Nebraska, said. “We celebrate life as a precious gift from God to be cherished and lived to its fullest. Her message will inspire and motivate our campus community.”

At age 36, Flood was diagnosed with stage-two breast cancer shortly after her husband Mike Flood, former Speaker of the Nebraska State Legislature, launched a campaign in 2012 to become Nebraska’s governor. Mike withdrew from the race to put his family ahead of his career. Mandi took this challenge in her life as an opportunity to raise awareness of breast cancer, especially for the increasing number of cases affecting younger women. She and Mike live in Norfolk with her sons, Brenden, 7, and Blake, 4.

Additional student events were planned throughout the week, including a glow-in-the-dark ultimate Frisbee tournament at which canned goods were collected for Blue Valley Community Action.

Pink Week culminated Tuesday, Oct. 29, with the annual Pink Out volleyball match against the College of St. Mary.