New Club fights cancer with awareness, education

Georgia College & State University is the first university to adopt a nation-wide program that educates students about cancer.

Colleges Against Cancer works with the American Cancer Society to fight cancer. Kim Benfield is the president of the GC&SU Colleges Against Cancer chapter.

“It came about during a Relay for Life teen summit. During the conference, some elementary students stood up and told us of how they worked with the American Cancer Society to start an organization that raises awareness about cancer,” said Benfield. “None of the college students had been that committed to the cause to adopt a program, so we decided that we wanted to do something at a national level.”

Dr. Amy Burt, assistant professor of Speech, is the advisor for Colleges Against Cancer.

“When I heard that the group was forming, I volunteered to be the advisor. I’ve lost many friends and family to cancer and am a cancer survivor. I’ve seen first hand the American Cancer Society’s good works and wanted to aid them,” said Burt.

Kendall Stiles, director of the G.I.V.E. Center, is Benfield’s role model and mentor.

“Kendall is a role model to me,” said Benfield. “Because this is my first time working with the American Cancer Society, I have a lot of questions, and Kendall usually knows all of the answers.”

Colleges Against Cancer will sponsor many events, projects, and programs. The first big event, Think Pink Week, will be held during the first week of October.

“We also want to use the personal experience of the faculty and staff, and the American Cancer Society recommends youth involvement,” said Stiles.

“There will be a workshop and one or two big speakers,” said Benfield.

Stiles assisted Benfield in developing programs for Colleges Against Cancer that would aid in educating the community andGC&SU.

“We want to promote the education and prevention of cancer to Baldwin County,” said Stiles.

Although the club is new to this university, it is clear that this organization is a group that will educate students, faculty and staff about cancer.

“Colleges Against Cancer’s mission is to create awareness and educate people about cancer,” said Benfield. “We will use fundraising, which raises awareness, to help benefit our cause.”

There will be a meeting on September 25 at 7 p.m. in the G.I.V.E. Center for all interested students.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 21 2001. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry