Colleges Against Cancer dedicated to raising cancer awareness on campus

BY SKYLAR FINKELSTEIN
Cardinal Staff

Saint Mary’s University’s Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) aims to raise cancer awareness throughout the academic year leading up to SMU’s Relay for Life.

CAC is a student organization associated with the American Cancer Society that aims to raise cancer awareness on campus while supporting SMU community members whose lives have been impacted by cancer and raise funds to fight back against cancer. The group’s main event is Relay for Life, which will take place at SMU on March 15, 2013.

“We all have a connection to this event. Therefore we should all participate,” said CAC Co-President Julie Pierce.

In addition to Relay for Life, CAC is also committed to putting on monthly events to raise awareness, said CAC Event Development Chair Julianne Bartosz.  Since September is prostate cancer awareness month, CAC put up informational decorations about prostate cancer throughout campus.  They also hosted a dodge ball tournament called “Knocking Out Cancer.”  Students were able to compete by creating a team with 8-10 players who each paid one dollar to play.  The funds raised at the tournament will be put toward SMU’s Relay for Life.

CAC is currently in the process of planning for October’s breast cancer awareness month.  Bartosz said they are trying to organize a bowling fundraiser.  Future events may also include an event in coordination with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke Out in November to fight against lung cancer.

CAC is dedicated to take a stand against cancer.  According to Pierce, they hope to have 40 teams and 400 or more participants for this year’s Relay for Life.  Pierce said CAC is challenging SMU participants to raise $40,000 to help the American Cancer Society’s research and to support the Hope Lodge, a facility where families can stay while a loved one is undergoing treatments.

To learn more about CAC and its events, keep an eye out for their posters throughout campus or email Julie Pierce (Jmpier07@smumn.edu) or Kim Puk (Kapuk08@smumn.edu) to get involved.