AUS PinkTober supports breast cancer awareness and research, raising AED 68,000

Month-long campaign connected early-detection education with support for AUS breast cancer research

Thousands of students, faculty, staff and visitors gathered at the AUS Main Plaza on October 22 for PinkTober Day, an evening focused on breast cancer awareness, early detection and fundraising. The public event marked the culmination of PinkTober: Beyond Pink, a month-long campaign organized by the AUS Student Council. The campaign raised 68,000 AED for the AUS Cancer Research Fund, which supports research into targeted chemotherapy delivery for breast tumors.

PinkTober Day featured student club booths, food and beverage vendors, brand activations, wellness activities, entertainment and a photobooth. An outdoor exhibition showcased work by independent UAE artists and students from the AUS College of Architecture, Art and Design. All proceeds from artwork sales went to the Cancer Research Fund; photobooth fees collected after the first two hours also supported fundraising.

“PinkTober shows how student leadership can bring breast cancer awareness into campus life,” said Shaima Bin Taliah, Vice Chancellor for Student Experience at AUS. “By connecting conversations about early detection with support for research, our students created a university-wide effort that brought the community together around an important health issue.”

The funds raised will support the AUS Ultrasound in Cancer Research Group, led by Dr. Ghaleb Husseini, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Research Integrity Officer at AUS. The team is studying a targeted approach to delivering chemotherapy to breast tumors. Tiny fat-based capsules called liposomes carry the drug, while antibodies on their surface are designed to guide them toward cancer cells. Focused ultrasound is then used to release the drug at the tumor. The approach is designed to limit healthy tissue’s exposure to chemotherapy; the research remains at the preclinical stage.

Since last year, the team has tested Herceptin-targeted capsules in mice with HER2-positive breast tumors. Early, unpublished results indicate that tumors in treated mice remained smaller than those in untreated mice. The effect was stronger when ultrasound was added, and the capsules accumulated in the tumors rather than in the heart. The next phase will complete these animal studies and begin testing a version designed to target EGFR, a protein found at high levels in many triple-negative breast cancers.

The research builds on two earlier US patents recognizing the team’s ultrasound-activated, antibody-guided chemotherapy delivery approach. The team has since received a third US patent, with further details to be shared soon.

“The AUS community’s support through PinkTober is helping our team continue this research and prepare for its next phase,” said Dr. Husseini. “We are studying whether antibody-guided capsules and focused ultrasound can direct chemotherapy to breast tumors. Early findings in mice are encouraging, but the work remains preclinical and requires further study.”

Across AUS’ four colleges and schools, activities connected breast cancer education with opportunities for students to participate. These included screenings and expert discussions on early detection, a panel and audience Q&A, and an awareness quiz. Students also took part in creative workshops, goodie-bag making, face painting and henna, carnival games, a raffle and performances.

The month-long program also included Pink Movie Nights on October 8, 19 and 29; a charity run with AUS Runners on October 14 that brought together more than 200 students; and a women-only Pilates and matcha event on October 29. Through the Pink Drink Punchcard, participants who collected stamps from five campus cafés could claim a free drink and enter a raffle to win a Google Fitbit Air. Thirty-five student organizations took part in fundraising and awareness activities.

“Students wanted to make breast cancer awareness accessible and give people different ways to take part,” said Tayyam ElAmki, an industrial engineering student and President of the AUS Student Council. “The activities across campus and PinkTober Day brought people together to learn about early detection and support AUS research.”

Event sponsors included Daddl, QV and Chevrolet. Food and beverage vendors included TPT, Tea Live, Mis Joint, Wingstop, PizzaExpress, Candy Fresh, Subway, Fruffles and UNDR. 

AUS provides platforms for students to lead and connect through student organizations. More than 130 student-led clubs and organizations offer opportunities across academic, cultural, is thcreative and interest-based areas. To learn more about getting involved, visit www.aus.edu/life-at-aus/student-life.