Focus Area

Colleges Against Cancer chapters support the American Cancer Society’s mission by promoting activities in four main areas:

 

Advocacy

Advocacy efforts of CAC chapters increase awareness of ACS legislative priorities by maintaining current information on nationwide advocacy initiatives and developing plans and projects suitable for the campus community.

Examples:

  • Educating members about advocacy and why it is important to make cancer a political issue, in addition to a health issue
  • Supporting cancer-related policies, such as anti-tobacco activities, through grassroots advocacy
  • Promoting and adapting nationwide advocacy programs and events to the college campus
  • Implementing advocacy activities at Relay For Life (e.g. “Picture a Cure”

 

Cancer Education & Prevention

CAC chapters promote and adapt American Cancer Society education and prevention programs to the campus community, emphasizing high-risk behaviors and screening guidelines.

Cancer education efforts focus on these main issues:

  • Breast cancer awareness
  • Early detection and prevention
  • Anti-tobacco awareness
  • Healthy lifestyle behaviors, including nutrition, physical activity, and sun safety.

 

Survivorship

Colleges Against Cancer chapters encourage outreach to campus and community survivors and their caretakers with support and hope. In doing so, they help people affected by cancer share experiences that will help them cope with cancer and celebrate life.

Examples:

  • Visiting cancer patients at local hospitals and care centers
  • Hosting a survivor reception or remembrance ceremony
  • Coordinating survivorship activities at Relay For Life events

 

Relay For Life

Chapters ensure the involvement in planning and participation in the American Cancer Society’s signature event and encourage advocacy, education, and survivorship activities at RFL.

Relay For Life is one of the largest national fundraisers and is the number one fundraiser for ACS. Relay offers everyone an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out overnight at a local area and take turns walking or running around the path at all times during the event to symbolize that cancer never sleeps.

RFL brings together millions of people to raise money to help prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from the disease.

Examples:

  • Plan and implement a Relay For Life event on campus
  • Join an existing Relay committee or form a team
  • Maintain a strong relationship between the chapter and existing campus and/or community Relays.