Coming together to Combat Cancer

October 29, 2009 by Nate Silva 

Students and faculty unite to educate, fight deadly foe

For most students, October means eating Costco-sized bags of candy, finding a costume to outdo last year’s and scaring the living daylights out of your roommates.

But amidst all this October madness is another scary topic: cancer.

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, Colleges Against Cancer — a new organization on campus — will help educate students on what to expect when conducting self breast exams and will continue to conduct similar events every month.

CAC President Alfonso Ayala explained that the organization existed informally alongside Relay For Life but became a registered club in August.

“This is our year for reorganizing and a chance to really get Colleges Against Cancer up and running,” Ayala said.

UNLV students and faculty members run CAC and come from a wide range of demographics. Some have been directly affected by cancer through loss or sickness of a loved one and some just are passionate about making a difference.

Maria Agnos, vice president of CAC, works with her members to instill four main ideas into the UNLV community: education, advocacy, survivorship and events – like Relay For Life.

Ayala said CAC not only works to educate students about cancer as a disease, but also about ways of prevention and early detection.

This month’s event is aimed to teach students how to give themselves self-examinations to check for lumps in their breasts by offering breast exhibits with tumors in them to learn what to expect when giving themselves an examination.

The American Cancer Society supports CAC and they will participate in an event on Nov.19 called The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout. It’s geared to influence people to give up smoking.

CAC plans on having monthly events like this to advocate different methods of prevention and information about different types of cancer.

Although CAC is just getting started, they have high hopes for the future and want to be recognized as an organization full of students who are doing their best to make a difference when it comes to student involvement in cancer awareness and prevention.

Agnos describes her love for the organization, saying she feels it is one that truly makes a difference.

“CAC is the real deal,” Agnos said. “We teach other students how to check for different types of cancer. We educate others about the risks of cancer and the steps that can be taken to prevent cancer. We go to town hall meetings. We hold events for cancer survivors. We make a difference. I wish I had joined sooner.”

CAC strives to make a difference and they are looking for more student involvement to further their goal.

CAC meets every other Tuesday at 7 p.m. Their next meeting will be Nov. 3. There are no dues or strict requirements to maintain membership. Members say students who wish to be involved but fear that they may not have the time to take part should not be discouraged, as there is no penalty for students who are only able to provide a limited amount of time.

All participation is welcome, valued and appreciated.

Agnos encourages students to join CAC in making a difference, no matter the amount of time they can dedicate.
“You can save a life. You can make a difference. You don’t need to devote 15 hours a week to the cause. You take on as much or as little as you like,” she said. “You go home knowing that you stood up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves. Every student has a voice. And in Colleges Against Cancer, every voice is heard.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
President Alfonso Ayala:
unlvcac@gmail.com
Vice President Maria Agnos:
agnosm@unlv.nevada.edu