The theme for the 2001 Battle Against Cancer is something that organization founder Nick Kovacic hopes students will stop to think about.
The theme, “It’s your life. It’s their dream. It’s our program, ” is meant to encourage students to give back, the communication sophomore said.
Battle Against Cancer is a series of fund-raising events directed toward raising money for cancer research.
This year, more than 552,200 people will die from cancer, adding up to more than 1,500 cancer deaths per day, according to the American Cancer Society. The goal of Battle Against Cancer is to fight back with everything the Lansing and MSU community can give.
This year’s fund-raisers begin in February and continue to late April with various drives and community events.
“Last year, Battle Against Cancer raised just under $26,000,” Kovacic said. This year’s goal is $43,854 - also the number of students attending MSU.”
All profits raised by the events go to the American Cancer Society.
Co-president of Battle Against Cancer Jim McEvoy said the movement was also aiming to help individuals struggling with the disease.
“We’re currently trying to work with some cancer support groups on campus to get them involved to help individuals, trying to form a supportive environment and a place to go for people who are cancer survivors or have relatives (with cancer) and want to talk to someone,” said McEvoy, a human biology junior. “One of our strengths is definitely student involvement.”
The Battle Against Cancer kicks off Feb. 1, with a 7 p.m. candlelight vigil at the rock on Farm Lane to honor cancer survivors and those who have died from the disease.
Other events throughout February include pop can drives, a three-on-three basketball tournament, movies at the Campus Center, and an Improv Night.
Social relations junior Natalie Zien has coordinated the Farm Lane vigil for the past few years, and describes her participation as “very fulfilling, very busy and a lot of fun.”
“We always need volunteers. Just because we stop fund-raising doesn’t mean that cancer stops,” Zien said.
The largest event planned is the Relay for Life, a 24-hour walk-a-thon that will be held near the end of April in cooperation with the American Cancer Society.
“One of the things we want to do is get a lot of students involved,” Kovacic said. Those that really did get involved last year were very touched by the experience.
“There was a lot of optimism at the beginning - when you say you want to raise $43,000, not a whole lot of people believe you - and in the end, when we raised as much as we did, that’s saying a lot. We want more people to have that feeling.”
All events sponsored by the Battle Against Cancer are open to the public.
