Colleges Against Cancer

Colleges Against Cancer is a branch of the American Cancer Society that aims to involve college students in the fight against cancer through advocacy, cancer education, Relay for Life, and Survivorship. The mission of Colleges Against Cancer is to be a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by initiating and supporting programs of the American Cancer Society in college communities.
The advocacy aspect of Colleges Against Cancer involves actions such as lobbying for legislation to increase research money, increasing access to cancer screenings, anti-tobacco initiatives, and legislative grassroots advocacy. Picture A Cure, letter writing to support increased taxes on tobacco, public service announcements, Kick Butt Days, creating a smoke-free dining guide, and Spare the Air Day are all examples of smoking-related advocacy measures that Colleges Against Cancer chapters have been involved in.
Because campuses have so many media outlets, college environments are particularly conducive to the cancer education aspect of this program. Increasing awareness on campuses about lifestyle risk factors for cancer such as smoking, tanning, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are extremely important and applicable to the college population. Also, raising awareness among students about the severity and prevalence of cancer can help raise support for advocacy.
Relay for Life is an event that is held to raise money for cancer research and treatment as well as increasing awareness, and support. The event lasts for 12 hours during which teams of participants take turns walking around a track. Booths for refreshments, advocacy and education are set up around the track so that the entire community can benefit. In 2004 alone, Relay for Life events held by colleges raised $7.5 million.
Survivorship is the final concentration of Colleges Against Cancer. The main focuses of survivorship are to honor survivors as well as working to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors, people fighting cancer, and those personally affected by cancer. The Relay for Life event involves survivorship through recognition of survivors and a luminary ceremony. Other ways Colleges Against Cancer promotes survivorship is by creating support groups, patient service programs, driving patients to their treatment centers, and visiting local treatment facilities.
Because of the unique environment of college campuses, Colleges Against Cancer has been very successful at carrying out advocacy, cancer education, Relay for Life and survivorship. Students not only get valuable volunteer opportunities through Colleges Against Cancer, but also gain experience that will help them as they enter the next phase of their lives.

Submitted by Jenny Steinhoff