Support the fight against cancer

Dear Editor,

We are writing in response to the article “Fighting Cancer” by Kelly Diabagate. We applaud your initiative in alerting the campus community of cancer-related issues, as they should definitely be brought to the attention of the campus community often.

We are lucky enough to have on our campus one of the largest collegiate Relay for Life events in the nation, and we are writing to encourage you and everyone else on campus to get involved in fighting cancer along with us. If you have never heard of Relay for Life, it is a 12-hour overnight event that allows us to celebrate those who have won the battle against cancer, remember those whom we have lost to this terrible disease and fight back year-round to eliminate cancer as a major health issue, while at the same time raising a large amount of money for the American Cancer Society. This money that is donated to the American Cancer Society actually supports many programs that are similar to the ones that you discussed in your article, such as research, prevention, advocacy and education programs.

Our Relay for Life chapter is also an American Cancer Society “College Against Cancer,” given extra resources and recognition for action and advocacy for cancer-related issues. We are dedicated to working year-round to educate our campus on the importance of our cause and keep it on the forefront of Washington University students’ minds. If anyone would like to become more involved in our Relay for Life chapter here at Wash. U., please feel free to contact Carol Dye at [email protected] or Rebecca Katz at [email protected] We are thrilled that there are other people on campus as dedicated to fighting cancer as we are. Thank you again for your article!

Carol Dye and Rebecca Katz
Class of 2009