Every community is affected by cancer, including our own here at Tufts. More than 1.6 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease this year. But the progress is real. The rate of cancer death in the U.S. has dropped a remarkable 20 percent since the early 1990s, preventing over a million cancer deaths in that short time. The American Cancer Society has contributed to the broad effort that has led to this drop, and its why were proud to be part of Relay for Life at Tufts University.
Over the course of 12 hours - 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tufts students come together as a supportive campus community for those with a connection to cancer. One out of five Tufts students participates in Relay, and more than 60 of us, many of whom have a personal cancer experience, work throughout the year to plan the event. Through Relay we have found a way to come together to fight back against cancer. Relay is the only organization on campus that provides a community to support cancer survivors and caregivers.
Relay serves two vital purposes. First, it is an event that celebrates survivors, honors those weve lost, and allows participants to pledge to continue the fight against cancer. Second, Tufts Relay For Life raises much-needed funds for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Since 2008, the Tufts community has raised $455,000 for ACS and last year we were the fifth-largest college Relay in New England competing against much larger schools. This overwhelming support from Tufts students reflects our collective dedication to this issue.
This year, ACS is celebrating 100 years of fighting cancer, and is asking us to join them to finish the fight. As of April 7, our community has raised over $84,000 with one week left to reach our goal of $110,000. 72 cents of every dollar we raise here on campus goes directly to research, prevention, detection, treatment, and patient support.
The ACS is the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of cancer research, having invested $3.8 billion since 1946 into research of all cancer types. ACS currently is funding 137 grants totaling more than $57 million at 30 hospitals and institutions throughout New England, including labs at Tufts Medical Center.
ACS, through its advocacy affiliate, ACS Cancer Action Network, also works with lawmakers to make cancer issues a national priority. One recent successful effort that is especially important to the college community is Michelles Law, which ensures that seriously ill or injured college students can take a leave of absence from school and still be covered by their insurance nationwide. The law is named for Michelle Morse, a college student whose insurance company refused to cover her colon cancer treatment unless she remained a full-time student, forcing her to take a full course load while receiving chemotherapy.
The funds raised by our Relay also provide transportation services to people who might not otherwise get to cancer treatment (35,000 rides last year in New England alone), and free lodging for people who have to travel from great distances to take advantage of the world-class cancer treatment facilities offered here in Massachusetts. The Boston Hope Lodge has provided patients and their caregivers over 54,000 nights of free lodging, saving them close to $10 million. Our campus support of Relay has helped make all this and more possible.
As co-chairs and as people connected to the fight against cancer, Relay For Life has been an integral part of our four years at Tufts. We have seen the organization and community grow, not only in fundraising success, but also in its dedication and passion for this cause. Relay For Life is, at its core, a unifying event and the only one of its kind on our campus. We are looking forward to the event and we sincerely hope that you will join us in our fight against cancer.
--
Amanda Borow is a senior majoring in peace and justice studies. She can be reached at Amanda.Borow@tufts.edu. Katie Galasso is a senior majoring in child development. She can be reached at Kathryn.Galasso@tufts.edu. Ariana Riccio is a senior majoring in biology. She can be reached at Ariana.Riccio@tufts.edu.
