DOBSON — Denim was a more common sight around the campus of Surry Community College than usual on Friday.

That denim was also donned by more than just students.

Around 180 faculty and staff members from the college, Surry Early College High School of Design and the Mount Airy Workforce Development Center donned blue jeans after paying the $5 participation fee to take part in Lee Denim Day. The participants simply donated $5 to the cause in exchange for the right to wear jeans to work for the day. The participants at the college, with the help of a few private donators, raised $1,030 for the cause.

The donations go to the Women’s Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. The funds will go towards research at Lee Translational Laboratories to find less toxic and more effective treatments, developing an early detection blood test and helping to educate those faced with breast cancer.

SCC has been participating in this event since its inception in 1996 and before that participated in the Susan G. Komen effort for the same cause.

This year, however, the campaign took on a more personal measure for SCC faculty and staff. The campaign was held in honor of Betty Beck, a retired college employee. Beck was responsible for the college becoming involved in the national event in the first place through the SCC Women’s Association. Beck has also suffered with cancer for years, according to Marion Venable, executive director of the SCC Foundation.

“We wanted to honor her because she was the one who got us involved in the first place,” said Venable.

The personal note helped to boost the total amount of money raised by the college over last year’s campaign. Venable said she thought there were some people who participated this year just to support Beck.

Lee Denim Day has worked to raise more than $75 million for breast cancer research in the past 14 years. This year, the program will also go to benefit the personal foundation of the 2009 Lead Ambassador Christina Applegate, the Right Action for Women Foundation.

Venable thinks the college will continue to participate in the event.

“It’s become an annual event for the SCC Women’s Association,” she said.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.