Student Organizations

Avila Women Fighting Against Cancer

 

 

Colleges Against Cancer is an organization on Avila University campus. President Liz Winke and two volunteers, Kate Laterza and Grace Gillaspie (left to right) are fighting cancer on four different fronts. Advocacy, cancer control, Relay For Life, and survivorship. This society mission is by promoting activities in these four main areas. Liz Winke is the only member as of right now and plans on having the first club meeting in September. “My first goal is to get members” Liz said. She has many ideas and said she wants to help Nurse Carrol promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month, get students to participate in the Great American Smoke out, find a way to enforce the "no smoking" on campus rule, host a card making party around the holidays and deliver these cards to a local hospital, and make dinner for families of cancer patients at Hope Lodge and/or Children's Mercy Hospital.”

Liz wants to educate on possible screenings and guidelines that an individual should be looking at. “All club members will participate in Relay For Life at the end of the year” Liz said. Relay For Life offers an opportunity for everyone to participate on the fight against cancer. It is an overnight event that last an average of 24 hours. It is split up into teams, and someone must always be on the track running or walking to be participating. It is a fun time to camp out and get together at a local sporting ground, park or fairground for a good cause. This summer Liz was contacted by a man named John Murry, who lives down the street from Avila. All four of his grandsons have a rare blood disorder in which the body doesn't produce any red blood cells. All four of these boys are in need of a bone marrow transplant. “I am hoping to get 500 new donors added to the bone marrow registry. It would be awesome if we could find a match for one of these boys.” With Liz’s big heart and wanting to help others, Liz invites you to join her efforts so you can help others too!