Campus Connection

Join UWL campus police officer for coffee and donuts, donation will help fight breast cancer

University Police Officer Dave Pehl fights crime. He also joins state and national organizations in the fight against breast cancer. Pehl will have donuts, cupcakes and coffee at UW-La Crosse’s Hoeschler Tower from 8-10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, to raise funds for breast cancer early detection, treatment and research through the Susan G. Komen organization. Pehl’s event is in October, breast cancer awareness month. Pehl has many personal connections to breast cancer. He has 11 relatives who both survived and lost battles with it. His mother was a breast cancer survivor for 32 years before she died in 2012. Her life was longer because of treatment and other support from Susan G. Komen, explains Pehl. “Instead of a 12-year-old kid, I was 44 when she passed away,” he says. “That support allowed her to see me grow up into the person I am, and see her grandchildren.” Pehl is organizing the event as a way to honor his mother while also raising awareness about breast cancer in the university community. In the past, Pehl, decked in pink, has been known to draw a crowd with his breast cancer awareness efforts. He organized a similar coffee and donut fundraiser in October 2012, along with a penny war fundraiser among residence halls. Together the events raised more than $1,000 for breast cancer research and treatment. Pehl hopes to raise $750 at the Oct. 19 event.