Organization Spotlight: Colleges Against Cancer

 

Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) is a non-profit organization focused on promoting cancer awareness amongst college students, staff and faculty. It is a collaboration of student organizations fighting against cancer, with several chapters nationwide. These organizations are aimed towards people impacted by cancer, cancer survivors and caretakers.

“There are many types of cancer out there and everyone is, in some way, affected by the disease,” said Teresa Rapking, president of Wright State’s CAC chapter. “We like to spread knowledge and awareness about the causes and preventions of cancer.”

Through collaborative efforts with other organizations, educational events and fundraisers, Wright State’s CAC works to spread awareness about the causes, preventions and effects of cancer.

“We have fliers at our tables about sun protections, skin care, etc. We also like to do things through our social media accounts because everyone is on social media these days,” said Rapking.

This year, Wright State’s chapter is concentrating on the Relay for Life event, which is a fundraiser taking place on March 15, 2019 in the Apollo Room.

“We spend most of our first semester fundraising and planning. The actual Relay event happens the second semester of the school year,” said Rapking.

In the event, various teams sign up to raise money and walk laps around a designated path. This is to indicate that cancer never sleeps and that the organization will not rest until a cure is found. Teams will create booths and host events where participants can donate for a cause.

Apart from Relay for Life, CAC spends time on volunteer work as well. “We like to participate in different walks for the awareness and fights against different types of cancer,” said Rapking. “Another thing we like to be involved in helping out with is Hope Lodge.” The Hope Lodge is a place where cancer patients and caregivers can live for free as they seek medical treatment.

Cancer patients, survivors and caretakers are encouraged to share their experiences at events, such as the upcoming Relay. The organization has planned a dinner for them, as a toast to their experiences.

“Some like to share experiences with people at Relay and a lot of them bond and connect because of both facing [a certain type of] cancer,” said Rapking. “Anyone that is in CAC has a personal connection to someone they have loved who had cancer or who lost their lives to cancer.”

If you are interested in joining Relay for Life, sign up at http://relay.acsevents.org.

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