Universities Against Cancer, an organization that honors and highlights those who have fought cancer, hosted a tabling event on Thursday for students to sign up for a light show on Monday.
The organization started in 2023 and receives donations through tabling events, fundraisers and collaborations with companies that help patients pay for cancer treatments.
Students stopped by UAC’s tabling event to donate $5 to support and sign a paper bag with words such as “Beat Cancer.”
Lucas Ealy, the founder of UAC and a sophomore majoring in political science, said that at the organization’s first event last year, it had over 200 white paper bags lining the quad.
“It’s a very positive experience having an organization focusing on individuals with cancer, and it’s been a really positive experience getting to fundraise for helping the people suffering with cancer,” said Lindsay Hutchens, a member of UAC and a freshman majoring in psychology.
Ealy expects to raise $10,000 by the end of the year.
“People should become more aware about it [cancer], even if you can’t personally relate to it,” said Lexi Augustin, a freshman majoring in nursing.
Ealy started the organization as a freshman with his roommate because he wanted to do something for those affected by cancer. Ealy said the club has plans to work with Druid City Hospital before the end of the year.
Ealy said students often see what this organization does, such as planting pink flags on the promenade to raise awareness, and are in awe at the collective teamwork.
“Our focus is promoting awareness of things like that [the pink flags] on campus and stressing how many people are affected, but also actually doing something,” Ealy said. “We really strive to find that balance with our organization because we want to make sure it’s more than just awareness.”
