During 2003, an estimated 200,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States.

To help raise awareness about breast cancer, Christina Johns, a public relations major at West Virginia University, is organizing”Blue Jeans for Betty Day,”a charity event to raise money to benefit WVU ’s Betty Puskar Breast Care Center.

Johns came up with the idea and asked Spa Roma in Morgantown to sponsor the event. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Johns is asking Morgantown businesses to allow their employees to wear jeans to work on Friday, Oct. 31. Those who”dress down”are asked to make a $5 minimum donation with all proceeds going to the Puskar Breast Care Center, which provides expertise, educational tools and technology aimed at the prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

“I think that this event is fantastic. So many people are getting involved. It is really nice to see the business of Morgantown coming together for such a wonderful cause,”said Betty Puskar, the center’s founder.

Donations are not just limited to those companies that are”dressing down.”Companies may make donations at the Puskar Breast Care Center or Spa Roma throughout the month. If a company would like to participate on another day, they can do that as well.

“The idea of this event was to get the community involved and have fun doing it. Having a casual day at work and raising money for a good cause is a great way to combine the two,”said Johns.

Participating companies include WVU ’s College of Business and Economics, The Dominion Post, Madeline’s and the Boston Beanery. Individuals contributing $25 or more will be entered into a drawing for gifts courtesy of Spa Roma and Priv.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Johns at 304-594-9782 or 304-685-5585, or e-mail her at krisdana20@msn.com .