ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Students and faculty at St. Bonaventure are organizing a Colleges Against Cancer Chapter to promote awareness and education on campus.
Colleges Against Cancer is designed to help eliminate cancer by supporting the initiatives of the American Cancer Society on college campuses, according to the American Cancer Society Web site. The organization is applying for official club status with the Student Government Association to be university-recognized.
“The organization will educate the student body about cancer prevention,” said senior Anna Bulszewicz, Colleges Against Cancer president. “It will benefit everyone.”
Serving as faculty adviser is Pauline Hoffmann, assistant professor of the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
St. Bonaventure University is joining more than 115 chapters across the country in establishing advocacy, increasing awareness and prevention, promoting support groups for caretakers and survivors, and raising money for the American Cancer Society. This chapter plans to raise money for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient and family services, said St. Bonaventure University graduate Tami Gabri, director of special events for Relay For Life for the Amherst, N.Y., branch of the American Cancer Society.
“Our hope is that the college community will be more aware of cancer-causing behaviors as well as how a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing cancer,” said Gabri.
The SBU chapter represents the American Cancer Society’s goal for 2015 of reducing cancer incidence rates by 25 percent and cancer mortality rates by 50 percent, and dramatically increasing the quality of life for cancer survivors, said Gabri.
Upcoming events planned for the current academic year include The Great American Smokeout on November 16 and the Relay For Life in March.
During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Colleges Against Cancer sold baked goods and pink ribbons as a fundraiser and distributed literature emphasizing the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. All proceeds raised from this event are going to the American Cancer Society.
Last semester, SBU hosted Relay For Life fduring which teams of students, faculty and staff ran or walked laps in the Reilly Center arena to raise money for cancer research and programs. The sponsored teams keep at least one member on the track at all times during the all-night event. Music, refreshments and supporters keep the teams going. Relay for Life is fairly new to SBU but has been running strong nationally for more than 20 years.
According to the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated. Participants from SBU raised over $15,000 for the American Cancer Society. Colleges Against Cancer plans to host the 2007 event with the theme “Be The Cure.”
The province, too, has a connection with the American Cancer Society. Both the ACS and HNP will be occupying the new building on West 31st Street in New York. ACS’s administrative offices and a new Hope Lodge are being planned for the space.
Information about Colleges Against Cancer and the American Cancer Society is available on the ACS Web site.