This week’s Student Organization Spotlight goes to Colleges Against Cancer! Breanne Johnson, the president of Colleges Against Cancer here at St. Kate’s filled me in about the organization and all the many things they do. She filled me in that Colleges Against Cancer has been at St. Kate’s since 2007! I think it’s time to give CAC (Colleges Against Cancer) their time to shine and show the awesome things they do throughout the year and the biggest even of them all, being this week!
Q: Tell me Breanne, what is Collegest Against Cancer?
Breanne Johnson: American Cancer Society’s Colleges Against Cancer is a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminiating cancer by initiating and supporting programs of the American Cancer Society in college communities. Essentially, St. Kate’s Colleges Against Cancer is a group of students bringing cancer awareness to campus through events, fundraisers, and Relay for Life.
Q: So what exactly does the club, Colleges Against Cancer do on campus?
Breanne: The main goal of Colleges Against Cancer is to fight cancer by volunteering for and support programs of the American Cancer Society. Further goals include, but are not limited to: conduct regular chapter meetings with all chapter membership, pursue, plan and execute programs supporting the four strategic directions of Colleges Against Cancer, such as advocacy, cancer education, Relay For Life, and survivorship. We also pursue, plan and execute at least two activities or events each school year. We like doing a breast cancer event on campus, since St. Kate’s is a women’s college, a lung cancer awareness event, and a caregiver event to celebrate the caregivers among us. We fundraise with all proceeds to American Cancer Society. We also contribute to the Colleges Against Cancer’s growth as a collaborative effort among all students and student organizations on campus, as well as between and among this chapter, the local American Cancer Society office and staff, surrounding chapters, and the Colleges Against Cancer National Leadership Team.
Q: Who can join Colleges Against Cancer?
Breanne: Any student, faculty or staff are invited to attend our meetings and events on campus who are connected to the University.
Q: How does Relay for Life connect with CAC and what does it mean to be on campus?
Breanne: As Colleges Against Cancer is a campus program through American Cancer Society, Relay for Life is also a program through American Cancer Society. However, Relay for Life on college campuses are very different than community Relays. College Relays are like lock-ins with activities, games, fundraisers, silent auction, and entertainment throughout the night. In the past we had hypnotist shows, and this year we have an inflatable obstacle course, plus so much more!
Q: As the president of CAC, tell us a little bit more about the organization that you believe is important to add?
Breanne: There is a lot of time and effort that goes into CAC. The club is divided into five committees: Mission, Event, Publicity, Fundraising and Teams. These committees each, have a chair member and delegate their own committee, in which are specifically designed for the Relay for Life event. A lot of talent goes into the event that does not go unnoticed. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of CAC while being at St. Kate’s!
Thank you Colleges Against Cancer for allowing HC St. Kate’s to have your organization as the Student Organization Spotlight! Your work is definitely not gone unrecognized! Don’t forget, Relay for Life is being held on April 7th, 2017. The event is from 6:00pm to 2:00am in the Butler Center gym. The doors to enter are locked at 10:00pm, however you may leave whenever you wish. It is not too late to sign up! Sign up before the event at relay.org/stkate with a registration fee of $10. You may also sign up at the door of the event, with the cost of $15.