Nothing is as empowering as education. At least, that’s the belief of organizers of this year’s Puttin’ On the Pink Education Day, a day-long event aimed at breast cancer awareness, breast health and techniques for survival, both mental and physical, after breast cancer diagnosis.

The free event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University campus, and includes breakout sessions and a panel discussion. Speakers will address seldom-discussed aspects of healing.

For example, Dana Rowett will speak about ways in which cancer can affect a woman’s sexuality. She is the author of “Intimacy After Cancer,” which examines how the mental and physical changes of cancer can alter the way women perceive themselves, their desirability and their ability to be intimate with their mates.

Trained specialists from the Corvallis Clinic will teach participants about the latest and most effective way to conduct breast exams, which can help women detect lumps as small as a quarter-inch. And a panel discussion of OSU researchers, faculty and students will discuss the latest research on breast cancer at OSU, as well as other women’s health issues.

Survivors will hold their own discussion group at the event, which will focus on the needs of survivors after they’ve received treatment.

To lighten the mood, keynote speaker Jean Bonifas will bring her own healing approach, tapping into the power of laughter.

“Because breast cancer is all about things that are fairly catastrophic and traumatizing, laughter is a great way to end the seminar,” Bonifas said. “We’ll reorient their attitude.”

Bonifas is a Certified Laughter Leader with the World Laughter Tour, and has led local laughter workshops in the past. She is currently teaching right brain fitness courses through the Corvallis Parks & Rec department. This is the first time Bonifas has become involved in supporting a breast cancer event, and she’s eager to be a part of Puttin’ On the Pink.

Although not a medical professional, she finds laughter is a great stress reducer.

“Its effects are immediate and free,” she said.

Laughter is therapeutic, as many studies have shown. It stimulates the heart rate, lowers the chances of respiratory infection, lowers blood pressure and has other results that compare it to “internal jogging,” she said. And one of its most important aspects is the release of endorphins that happen when someone laughs.

“They have a magic effect on us,” she said. Pain seems to disappear, illnesses can’t take as strong a hold and other illnesses — including diabetes — are positively affected by laughter. It also appears to speed healing, which for cancer patients is crucial.

For Bonifas, her keynote address is a chance to share a little joy with others.

“I’m always glad to have the opportunity to spread laughter.”

There will also be a free educational event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre in downtown Corvallis. A full schedule of classes and registration information can be found at www.puttinonthepink.com.

IF YOU GO

Puttin’ On the Pink Education Day takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University campus, on the corner of 26th Street and Western Boulevard. It’s free, but space is limited, so register at www.puttinonthepink.com or call 758-2747.