Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) is a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by working to implement the programs and mission of the American Cancer Society. With hundreds of chapters nationwide, CAC is showing the world that young people care and want to make a difference.

How many college organizations do you know that involve the entire campus community and surrounding area? CAC does just that through four Strategic Directions: Advocacy, Cancer Education, Relay For Life, and Survivorship. By working to advance the mission of the American Cancer Society, the Strategic Directions are areas in which college students are easily engaged.

Advocacy

Advocacy is working with elected officials and campus administrators to influence policymaking. Students often don’t realize how loud their voices can be when they join together. Advocacy allows them to do this and see change happen as a result. Planning and participating in advocacy events is simple! Here are a few examples of what chapters have done:

• Hosting a letter-writing party to state senators
• Circulating petitions about cancer-related legislation
• Encouraging people to register to vote
• Meeting with campus officials to discuss the campus going smoke-free

Cancer Education

The decisions young people make now affect their health years down the line. This is why Cancer Education is so important: if we can reach out to students now about quitting smoking, limiting alcoholic intake, and maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle, their chances of developing cancer years from now will be greatly diminished. Cancer Education focuses on three main aspects: Breast Cancer Awareness, Tobacco Awareness, and Nutrition and Physical Activity. Here are some events that chapters have hosted to support Cancer Education:

• Playing breast cancer bingo at a chapter meeting or event
• Encouraging people to use self-tanners instead of using a tanning bed
• Sponsoring a walk-a-thon to promote a healthy lifestyle
• Signing up volunteers for Road to Recovery

Relay For Life

Many students decide to become involved with CAC because of prior involvement with Relay For Life in their hometowns. It's a great way to stay involved with the Society when you go away to college! Chapters are encouraged to host their own Relays if possible, or to put together a team at a local Relay if one isn't possible on campus. Here are some other great Relay For Life-oriented events held by CAC chapters:

• Hosting a multi-college Relay (great if there are multiple colleges in an area)
• Participating in Paint The Campus Purple
• Fundraising for a local Relay on campus with a car wash
• Mentoring a "rookie" Relay to help it get started

Survivorship

One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in his or her lifetime. With these odds, it's no surprise that many people are already involved with the American Cancer Society because they know someone who's been diagnosed. Survivors are the people we're fighting for, our hope and inspiration, and our reason to keep going. They're a vital part of the CAC experience. Here are a few highlights of what some chapters have done to honor the Survivors on their campuses:

• Sponsoring a Survivor Brunch
• Starting a support group on campus
• Making dinner and dessert at a Hope Lodge
• Hosting a card-making party around the holidays and sending the cards to a pediatric cancer ward

Each CAC chapter works with an American Cancer Society staff partner. This person serves as the link between your chapter and the Society. He or she can guide you in the policies of the Society and help you think of creative ideas for your chapter.

There are so many ways to become involved with Colleges Against Cancer. Check with your campus activities board to see if there's a chapter at your school. If there isn't, ask how to get one started! You can e-mail CAC@cancer.org for more information about the program and for a starter kit.