2011 Year-End Reports
Best Practices
Cancer Education
These best practices have been collected from the 2011 Year-End Reports submitted by
Colleges Against Cancer Chapters from across the nation. Use these ideas to spark your
thoughts and imagination, but remember to change and adapt them to fit your campus culture!
This guide is certainly not exhaustive, and we encourage you to tell us about the events and
activities hosted by your chapter, so we can spread those ideas, too. Don’t forget to take
pictures and videos of your programs and share them with us, so we can show them to the rest
of the Colleges Against Cancer and Collegiate Relay For Life communities!
Please remember that some of the greatest ideas encompass more than one of the strategic
directions of Advocacy, Cancer Education, Relay For Life, and Survivor & Caregiver Engagement.
Each of the four guides focuses on a particular direction, but some practices overlap. We
encourage you to check each of the guides for more suggestions! To help you locate the ideas,
each guide has been divided into sections, but, again, we encourage you to look through each
section to get the most from these documents.
If you have questions or would like more information, please e-mail us at CAC@cancer.org.
Thank you for all that you do in the fight against cancer.
With hope,
The National Collegiate Advisory Team
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Table of Contents
The best practices for Cancer Education have been divided into six categories:
General Cancer Education……………………………………………………………..................................3
Awareness – Breast Cancer ………….................................................................................12
Awareness – Lung Cancer, including the Great American Smokeout ……………….......….24
Awareness – Skin Cancer ………………………………………………………………………………………….33
Awareness – Testicular Cancer …………………………………………………………………………………36
Awareness – Other Cancers ……………………………………………………………………………………..39
NOTE: These best practices have been collected directly from the 2011 Year-End Reports
submitted by Colleges Against Cancer Chapters. The text from those reports has been included
in this guide. Few changes have been made. Questions about these practices should be directed
to the National Collegiate Advisory Team at CAC@cancer.org. The team will make every
attempt to find the answers you need!
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General Cancer Education
SCHOOL: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Eat This, Not That: The Cancer Education Committee hosted a nutrition event called
“Eat This, Not That” in which participants compared two food items or meals and guessed which was
better for their health. If they got five comparisons correct, they received a nutritious snack to promote
National Nutrition Month.
SCHOOL: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Test Your Healthcare IQ: Students and faculty were given a healthcare quiz to
see how much they know about the healthcare system and how it impacts current cancer
patients and their families. Those who took the quiz were offered a cupcake. The quiz helped
the campus to gain more knowledge and awareness of the system.
SCHOOL: California State University - Fresno
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Letters to Loved Ones: In February, we had an event on campus called “Letters
to Loved Ones” where we asked students on campus to write a letter to a loved one at our
booth reminding them of the importance of cancer screenings and asking their loved ones to
get their cancer screenings as a favor to them.
SCHOOL: California State University - Northridge
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Birthday Party, Links 4 Cancer Patients: Our first event of the year was our
General Cancer Awareness Education Event. For the event, our theme was birthdays, just like
the American Cancer Society’s theme at the moment. To go with the birthday theme, we did
party bags for students to take away with them that had goodies from the American Cancer
Society and brochures about cancer awareness. We had a Happy Birthday sign, and students
could decorate birthday hats and a “Pin the Ribbon on the Cancer.” To grab students’ attention
as they walked down the walkway, we taped cancer facts on the walkway. It was interesting to
see students slow down as they were walking to read the facts and realize how much cancer
affects us. We also had a small table set up where students could make cards for cancer
patients. (The cards were used during our Spring Survivor Social and gave out at the oncology
center during the holidays.) This seemed to be very popular because students were inspired to
write kind and encouraging words on these cards for cancer patients, and we had yummy
cupcakes to sell!! We had Links 4 Cancer Patients, where students were able to put the name of
someone on the link that they had lost to cancer or someone that was battling or had survived
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cancer. On a rope line we put all of the links together, and you could see a huge sea of ribbons
that we made out of the links.
SCHOOL: Clarion University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Fight Back Fitness Fest: As a way to promote Relay and the importance of
physical activity, we hosted a “Fitness Fest” at the Rec Center two weeks before Relay. We
charged $5, which included weekend gym fees, two hours of Zumba, wall climbing instruction,
and access to the track and weight room. We also raffled off gift baskets with water bottles,
work-out DVDs, resistance bands, and pedometers mixed in with some Relay giveaways.
SCHOOL: Cornell College
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Dorm Floor Program: CAC Chair members went to first-year floors to educate
them on the American Cancer Society, Colleges Against Cancer, and Relay For Life. They were
given info pamphlets and we did Cancer Jeopardy with them and gave out ACS prizes.
SCHOOL: Cornell College
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Health Fair for Kids: Mount Vernon holds an annual kids’ safety and health fair.
Our CAC Chapter created posters with information related to healthy lifestyles (what to eat, sun
safety, getting exercise, etc.). We gave parents healthy recipes for kids’ snacks and handouts to
all the kids, along with info about Relay and ACS.
SCHOOL: Dakota State University
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Rushing for a Cure with the Football Team: The DSU Football team cosponsored Rushing for a Cure with us. Each player and coach dedicated the game to someone
they knew with cancer. We made posters with the player’s name, number, picture and who
they were playing for, and we lined the posters along the fence at the football game. We had
some of the football players record who they were playing for and played them back during the
game. We also had cancer facts read during timeouts, halftime, etc. Some of the players had
pink shoe laces, gloves, tape, wrist bands, and mouth guards. We decorated with streamers and
balloons and honored those in the stands during the game. We again had an honorary survivor
who called the coin toss.
SCHOOL: DeSales University
DIVISION: East Central
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BEST PRACTICE: St Patrick’s Day: For St. Patrick’s Day, we organized an event where CAC
members walked around advertising Relay holding green candy jars with stickers that read “Kiss
me, I Relay.” Students could pay to buy candy, which had a cancer fact attached, and all
proceeds went to Relay.
SCHOOL: Grand Valley State University
DIVISION: Great Lakes
BEST PRACTICE: College Cancer Days: Our CAC Chapter hosted the first annual “College Cancer
Days” event at Grand Valley this January. This was a chance for local/community organizations
to educate the Grand Valley students about their particular organization and how they work in
the fight to save lives. Representatives from the American Cancer Society, Michigan Blood,
Gilda’s Club, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Colleges Against Cancer were set up
around a commons area with tables. Students could ask questions, find ways to get involved
with the particular organizations, and get signed up on the bone marrow registry. We look
forward to hosting this event again.
SCHOOL: John Carroll University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Posting Cancer Facts: We displayed cancer facts pertaining to young adults
weekly during the fall semester. Cancer facts were done every week between September and
December. They were displayed in the main atrium of the student center.
SCHOOL: Juniata College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Dance Party: We held a dance party for students on Halloween weekend,
called “Scare Cancer Away”. Throughout the night, we had giveaways and prizes for students
who knew their cancer facts.
SCHOOL: Lebanon Valley College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Lipstick Poster: At the end of February, flyers were handed out with
information about nutrition and preventing cancer. Also, a flyer about staying active was placed
around campus. For Valentine’s Day, we made Kiss Away Cancer valentines that were hung
throughout the dorms, and we had a poster that people could kiss with lipstick.
SCHOOL: Marquette University
DIVISION: Midwest
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BEST PRACTICE: Great American Health Challenge - Eat Healthy Aspect: We were given a
Student Organization Allocation and distributed free healthy snacks (fruits, trail mix, string
cheese) to students on campus to advocate the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.
SCHOOL: Miami University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Banner Painting: We had a sheet banner painting party at the beginning of the
week and painted a plethora of banners relating facts about cancer risk factors relevant to
college students. We displayed these banners around campus and also passed out information
on cancer prevention on Valentine’s Day.
SCHOOL: Miami University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Homecoming Tailgate Party: At Miami’s Homecoming, we got a tent within
Tailgate Town. Here, we handed out informational literature on cancer prevention, encouraged
individuals to sign an ACS CAN petition for better access to mammograms, and spread the word
about our upcoming Relay For Life. We also took donations for our Relay.
SCHOOL: Ohio State University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Programs & Services Mission Moments: During the mission moments of our
committee meetings, there was an education focus that discussed different awareness months
and programs that ACS provides, such as Choose You and the Great American Smokeout.
Members were educated on these issues and were encouraged to participate in such
programming.
SCHOOL: Otterbein University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Country Cancer Facts: At Relay For Life in May, our theme was Relay Around
the World, and we had each team pick a country to represent and decorate their campsite in
the theme of that country. Each team made a poster that displayed information about cancer
facts and statistics for their country. Individuals were asked to visit each campsite and learn
about those facts and report back to a committee member for a stamp in their “passport.”
SCHOOL: Saint Francis University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: All Cancer Awareness Week AKA “Purple Week:” A large hands of hope
poster was completed with the traced hands of students on campus and included printed
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names in honor or memory of any loved ones who had cancer to celebrate Survivorship and
Cancer Education. Purple ribbons were handed out to spread Cancer Education and
Advocacy. A final Kick-Off was held in the middle of the week to help teams and participants
register for Relay For Life. Save-the-date bracelets with Relay For Life’s date at our university
were passed out. A BINGO game was held at the end of the week to have some fun, raise
money for Relay For Life, and spread Cancer Education.
SCHOOL: Stanford University
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Cancer Education Activities at Relay: At Relay, throughout the day, the Cancer
Education tent organized a number of educational activities and initiatives. Throughout the day,
we sold "Shots of Sunscreen,” which were 2 oz. glasses of sunscreen, the recommended
amount that a person should apply to their whole body. There was also an Information Prize
Wheel. Participants would come and spin the wheel and, if they answered the question
correctly, would receive a prize from a basket full of Relay For Life accessories and other small
gifts. Muffins, cupcakes, and cookies were also sold at the tent throughout the day to fundraise
for Relay. In the evening, we hosted a round of Jeopardy for all teams to play against each
other. Each category consisted of a different type of cancer (Breast, Colon/Rectal, Lung, and
Skin) and the winning team received the grand prize of a dozen Sprinkles cupcakes and a
coveted Relay For Life blanket. Moreover, the displays from the Great American Smokeout and
Faces of Cancer were set up around the track throughout the day. The Faces of Cancer Display
consisted of 10 posters, each one illustrating a personal story from a student who has been
affected by cancer. These posters were made to publicize Relay the previous 3 years, but we
put them all out together at Relay this year inside an enclosed pop-up tent so participants could
walk inside and read the very personal stories of their classmates.
SCHOOL: University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY)
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Healthy Eating Seminar: Our Cancer Education Committee put on a program to
educate students on healthier eating habits. There was a short PowerPoint detailing food
choices and tips on how to eat better. Afterwards, members told stories of their weight loss
and how to sustain the newly learned eating habits. Samples of healthy food attractive to
college students and a recipe book geared towards college students were also provided at the
program. They were able to take home samples!
SCHOOL: University of California - Los Angeles
DIVISION: California
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BEST PRACTICE: Mission at Relay: Our goal was to make sure that no one left the event without
learning something new about cancer prevention, early detection, and the different ACS patient
services. Additionally, we wanted the participants to learn valuable information that could be
passed onto their loved ones. The following is a list of the various activities and their goals and
purpose.
- “Protect Your Balls” Dodgeball Tournament: Dodgeball tournament to promote daily
physical activity and raise prostate cancer awareness
- “Operation: Save Epidermis:” Visor-making to promote sun safety awareness
- “Relay your Knowledge:” Scavenger hunt to educate Relayers about the American
Cancer Society’s many patient services, such the Road to Recovery program
- “Prize Pong:” The new, alcohol-free form of beer pong to educate people about liver
cancer and its relationship to excessive alcohol consumption
- “Ultimate Triathlon:” Promote healthy eating and daily physical activity
- Brownie Mix Game: Portray what the lungs of a smoker look like and raise awareness
about smoking and lung cancer
- ”Breast it Up:” Breast Cancer Jeopardy to raise awareness about breast cancer, breast
self-exams, and mammograms
- Smoking “Quit Kit” Making: Attendees made personalized quit kits for themselves or
people who they knew who smoked
- “Pop the Polyp:” A game to raise awareness about cervical and colorectal cancer and
educate attendees about early detection methods such as pap smears
- Skin, Cervical, and Colorectal Cancer Crossword Puzzles: Educate participants about
these cancers and ways they can prevent and detect them early on
- Growing “Why I Relay” Chain: Participants wrote down why they Relay on a slip of
colored paper and their reason was linked onto the growing “Why I Relay” chain. This
showed how all of the participants are connected by this amazing cause and their
unified desire to FIGHT BACK!
SCHOOL: University of California - Los Angeles
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Mission Moments: At the beginning of every weekly meeting, the Cancer
Education Committee led a Mission Moment. Mission Moments served not only as a way of
reminding committee members of the ACS mission and educating them about cancer
prevention, but also as a way of bringing the club together in the fight against cancer. Examples
of Mission Moments are listed below:
- Preparation of different Cancer Education and Advocacy rallies
- Making Quit Kits for smoking cessation
- Unscrambling of the ACS Mission Statement
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-
Texting someone “Slip, Slop, Slap” to educate them about sun safety
Group competitions with puzzles, etc.
Breast Cancer BINGO
Cupid Shuffle
SCHOOL: University of California - San Diego
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Kids Tent: We played with the kids and held activities such as “draw a world
without cancer” and temporary tattoos of ribbons. We hung the drawings up on strings all
around and inside the tent. Later, we made these “a world without cancer” drawings done by
kids into postcards to use as fundraisers at our campus to raise money as well as awareness.
SCHOOL: University of Oregon
DIVISION: Great West
BEST PRACTICE: Stickering: CAC worked with our local ACS office to design stickers to be placed
on the hot cup sleeves of coffee cups. We worked with the University Residence Halls (Dining),
campus bookstore, and local coffee shops to place stickers on their hot cup sleeves. The stickers
contained CAC’s logo, CAC’s mission statement, CAC’s contact information, and a Cancer
Education fact. One fact read, “By the time you finish this cup of coffee, about 24 people will
have been diagnosed with cancer in the United States.” Our chapter volunteered and worked
with other students to place over 2,000 stickers onto the coffee sleeves.
SCHOOL: University of Pennsylvania
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Healthcare Reform Panel: For the first time ever, we had a speaker panel. The
topic was Healthcare Reform. In addition to an ACS representative speaker, we had two Penn
professors who are very well-known in their fields come to speak. More than 60 students
attended the panel, and it was a great success!
SCHOOL: University of Pittsburgh
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Screening of Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture:” We planned a screening
where more than 50 students came to see the video of Randy Pausch’s last lecture. The event
was mainly publicized through Pitt’s CAC Facebook page. We provided beverages and snacks
and also asked for donations, raising over $100. There was also information on pancreatic
cancer available. (NOTE: Randy Pausch was a professor who died of pancreatic cancer. He gave a
lecture entitled The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams after learning of the
diagnosis and prognosis.)
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SCHOOL: University of Scranton
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Daffodil Days: We participated in this ACS program this year. We sent order
forms to all club members’ families and sold flowers, bears, and pots the day before Spring
Break. There were many family members on campus picking up their sons and daughters and
many bought daffodils to bring home with them.
SCHOOL: University of Scranton
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Trick or Treat: We have a program at Scranton that brings underprivileged
children to our school to go Trick or Treating through our dorms around Halloween. There is
then a reception in our ballroom and clubs can set up a table and provide the children with
more activities to do. We decided to participate in this event again this year. This year, we facepainted the children and had a “Pin the Pink Ribbon on the Witch.” We had a picture of a witch
on a piece of poster paper and had the children close their eyes and try to get the ribbon onto
the witch’s body. While the children were doing this activity, we spoke to the parents and
caregivers about breast cancer. We had 3 types of pamphlets to give to them: information
regarding self-detection, ways to live a healthy life, and what to do when diagnosed. After a
child finished the activity, we spoke to him or her about simple and fun ways to stay healthy,
such as running around outside and making sure they eat fruits and vegetables at meals.
SCHOOL: University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Ribbons: We promoted cancer awareness on campus by providing information
and support ribbons in one of the main buildings on campus. We did this for both breast and
lung cancer awareness months. We used a model of a healthy lung and an unhealthy lung to
show the damaging effects of smoking for our lung cancer awareness informational session.
SCHOOL: University of Wisconsin - Superior
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Stick It To Cancer Hockey Game: We sold “Relay For…” t-shirts, handed out
information on cancer, and had a photo spot for our reason to Relay during a men’s hockey
game. Survivors also received survivor shirts and were recognized between periods. We
consider Stick It To Cancer to be our most successful event this year. We were able to connect
with many community members and build a relationship with our athletic department for
future partnership events. We were able to reach out to people that we might not see at our
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other events. Attendees of the game also heard facts about cancer and cancer research
throughout the game as well as personal stories.
SCHOOL: Villanova University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Love Your Body Valentine’s Day: We hosted a table by the Oreo (a central
location on Campus) with information on loving your body, and, at this table, we also did ACS
CAN recruitment. We made Valentines that said how to “love your body” in the shape of a
heart with healthy living tips.
SCHOOL: Washington University in St. Louis
DIVISION: High Plains
BEST PRACTICE: Operation Game: We played a life-sized version of Operation in which the
player was given a fact and they had to remove the “tumor” corresponding to the correct
location.
SCHOOL: Xavier University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Valentine Fundraiser: We sold valentines in our student center. They were
sold for a dollar a card and the people were given the option to have the card delivered with
chocolate or carnations. The 50 carnations were donated by a local flower shop. We made a
profit of $90, and the valentines were passed out the Sunday before Valentine’s Day. Attached
to each valentine were a cancer fact and Relay’s date and website.
SCHOOL: York College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Great American Health Check: The committee handed out apples and bananas
with facts about cancer. The Student Nursing Association of PA, York College Chapter also did
blood pressure screenings at that time.
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Awareness – Breast Cancer
Many chapters hosted athletic events that focused on breast cancer awareness.
SCHOOL: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Think Pink Party: The Executive Board decided to try a new fundraiser for
Strides, so we threw a Think Pink Party! The restaurant Chipotle donated 80 free burrito boxes.
In addition, we also made some lemonade. Dinner was sold for $5. We had many activities, one
of which was a balloon raffle. We put a number of raffle tickets into blown up balloons and the
balloons were sold for $1 each. Prizes included gift certificates for bowling, mini golf, Wal-Mart,
a candy store, the movies, and Red Lobster. We also raffled off a Coach wristlet, a pink Brita
filter, and big candy bars. The president also offered $1 henna tattoos in the shape of breast
cancer ribbons. Another activity was $1 pink tie-dye. People had the option of bringing their
own clothing items. We also sold white socks to tie-dye for $1. In addition, there was a cupcake
and cookie decorating station. Attendants decorated a cookie or cupcake with pink decorations
for a $1 donation. Pink ribbons were sold for $1. A faculty member offered to die his hair pink
after we raised our first $100. We raised well over $100 and our faculty volunteer did die his
hair pink! We also had a cotton candy machine donated and sold pink cotton candy for $1. We
also did some unique advertising! We ordered pink lawn flamingos and put them around
campus with the Think Pink party information. We also made a Facebook event and posted
flyers. We had a lot of great pink decorations and a great playlist for the party including a lot of
songs by the artist Pink! The party was a hit!
SCHOOL: Allegheny College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Mammogram Reminders: We tabled and offered students the opportunity to
write addresses of female loved ones on postcards, which we mailed as mammogram
reminders.
SCHOOL: Ashland University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Pretty in Pink Fashion Show of Men: At this event, we raised money for breast
cancer. We sold pink wrist bands that said “I love Boobies” and pink frosted cookies in the
shape of a pink ribbon, as well as pink lemonade. We had male models from multiple campus
organizations decorate a bra and participate in a fashion show of them. Each model read a fact
about breast cancer. We also had a breast cancer survivor speak at the event.
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SCHOOL: Binghamton University, State University of New York (SUNY)
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Sprit Committee for Making Strides Our committee volunteered at Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer in October. Decked out in pink boas, we entertained the crowd
with the Pink Glove Dance and served as a Spirit Committee, cheering on the participants.
SCHOOL: Cabrini College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Boo-B Dance: We held a “Boo-B Dance” the Thursday night before Halloween
where we sold breast cancer awareness t-shirts and handed out breast cancer information. We
also did stickers, illustrating the 1 in 4 statistic. We raised over $2,000 at this dance just selling
tickets. The only overhead was wristbands, since the school’s radio station did the music for
free.
SCHOOL: Coastal Carolina University
DIVISION: South Atlantic
BEST PRACTICE: Ta-Ta Tuesday: For our Breast Cancer Awareness event, we had Ta-Ta Tuesday
one day in October. This consisted of having tables set up at our most populated dining facility.
We had educational materials (‘The ABC’s of Breast Health, Self-Exams, etc.), pink ribbons, pink
bandanas (which were sold for fundraising efforts), and Relay For Life information at the event.
SCHOOL: DeSales University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Caught in Pink: In October, for breast cancer awareness month, we designated
a day when anyone on campus “caught” wearing pink would receive a piece of candy with a
cancer fact attached.
SCHOOL: Franklin & Marshall College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Real Men Wear Pink Calendars: In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness
Month, we created a calendar titled Real Men Wear Pink For Breast Cancer. This calendar
featured the men of thirteen different on-campus male organizations dressed in pink bras,
boxers, and other pink clothing and accessories to raise awareness for breast cancer during the
month of October. In order to make sure the calendar was appropriate, we received clearance
from multiple faculty members, including the Dean of the College. The only drawback was the
high-price of printing, as we used a vendor that only allowed us to make $5 worth of profit even
though we sold the calendars for $15. Overall, however, the reception of the calendars was
very positive, and we ended up by raising approximately $600 for the cause.
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SCHOOL: Iowa State University
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Bowling for Boobs with Tailgating Games: Bowling for Boobs is an event at the
ISU campus’s memorial union underground bowling alley that raises money for breast cancer
research. Students and the general public both attend the event. We have free snacks and free
entertainment, such as bra pong and our homemade tailgating games, where contestants must
get an oversized bra caught on pieces of rope attached to two poles. We also hold contests
where men compete to see who can put on a bra (clipped and all) the fastest. Winners of the
non-bowling entertainment games received prizes, which were collected via donations by our
sponsorship and entertainment committees. An education booth and a game wheel for bowlers
to guess what cancer each color represented were also present. Our Survivorship Chair also had
two breast cancer survivors speak as honorary guests at the event.
SCHOOL: Juniata College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Girls Only Night: Two nurses came to Juniata from the Joyce Murtha Breast
Center to answer students’ questions and provide an educational discussion. Ladies also
decorated bras for the Boys in Bras fashion show, where campus men performed during dinner
hours in our cafeteria to raise awareness about the impacts that breast cancer may have on
men.
SCHOOL: Juniata College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Pink Rocks: All Juniata people were invited to paint rocks pink and write the
name of someone who battled breast cancer. Rocks were placed throughout campus to remind
people of the prevalence of breast cancer. It also served to remind everyone of breast cancer
awareness month.
SCHOOL: Lebanon Valley College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Pink Week: The campus was “painted” pink for the week. Pink window paint
was bought and the college center was decorated with the window paint, streamers, and pink
breast cancer ribbons. Sidewalk chalk was used to put breast cancer ribbons around campus to
raise awareness. The flyers for the Pink Week activities were placed in a ribbon formation in
every dorm and academic building on campus. We had cookies in our coffee shop dessert case
for people to buy for $1 per cookie and a collection box was placed inside the door for
donations for breast cancer. A student had pink hair dying, where students could dye strands of
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hair or their whole head pink. Donations were strongly encouraged and went to the student’s
Relay team goal. Flyers were hung around campus and an e-mail was sent to everyone on
campus. We painted nails pink for 50 cents. We also had our ice hockey team go dorm to dorm
in bras with a member of Colleges Against Cancer to collect money for Relay and hand out
breast cancer facts and pamphlets. This was very successful, as it raised over $700 dollars. We
concluded our Pink Week with a Pink Dance. We gave out pink glow sticks and decorated the
space pink. Students were encouraged to wear as much pink as possible.
SCHOOL: Lock Haven University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Pink Week: Our chapter had a Breast Cancer Awareness Week on our campus
where we had tables with information on mammograms, self-exams, etc. We sold t-shirts, pink
ribbon Sillybanz, and silicone breast cancer hope bands to raise awareness throughout our
campus. During the week, we handed out free pink lemonade, pink cookies, candy with facts
and awareness tips, and lots of information provided by the American Cancer Society. We had
students and faculty paint their pinky nails pink to “pinky promise to get a mammogram” and
had our annual “Pink-Out” day where we encouraged our campus to wear pink to support
breast cancer awareness. We kicked off the week with our third annual “Boobie Bingo,” where
our Multi Purpose Room fills with pink-wearing Bingo players to win a variety of Vera Bradley
and other prizes. We reach out to breast cancer survivors to attend our events and share their
stories with others.
SCHOOL: Lycoming College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Pink Week: We created awareness around campus through bras hung up on a
line with different breast cancer facts hung on the bra line. We sold ribbons for a $1 donation
with pink (breast cancer color), blue, and gold (Lycoming colors) ribbons to wear during Pink
Week to show awareness around campus and raise funds for Relay For Life. We made ribbon
and boob cookies to sell at an annual event for $1. We sold $10 t-shirts with slogans including
“Fight Like a Girl” (front) / “My To-Do List: X Beat Breast Cancer, _ Take Over the World” (back)
and “Boob Inspector - Check ‘Em or I Will” (front) / “I love boobs, breasts, hooters, jugs, and tatas” (back) and raised $1,000 towards Relay For Life. We hung up facts throughout campus to
help create awareness for breast cancer. The Health Services on campus included breast cancer
information in their monthly newsletter in order to create awareness. We hosted Tackle Breast
Cancer Day, where the men’s and women’s soccer and football teams wore pink before and
during their athletic events. During the football game, we had a ceremony for breast cancer
survivors (we sent out invites to the local breast cancer survivors), where we gave them a
Making Strides pink ribbon, read a poem, and played a song in their honor. We held a “Paint
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Your Nails Pink” in the beginning of the week, and we also coordinated with a local hair salon to
provide pink hair extensions. The campus bookstore decorated their display case with pink
items from the bookstore, and the library provided books, facts, and breast cancer bookmarks
during the month.
SCHOOL: Macalester College
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Photo Campaign: The Breast Cancer Awareness Month photo campaign, in
which we had people hold banners with facts about breast cancer and then posted the pictures
around campus, was particularly successful.
SCHOOL: Northeastern University
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: Brunch with the Get In Touch Foundation: On a Sunday in October, we held
our second annual Pretty in Pink brunch, which is a signature event of the Get In Touch
Foundation. Get In Touch is dedicated to teaching young women (starting in middle school)
how to perform breast self-exams and to be comfortable with examining your own body. At this
event, we had the daughter of a survivor and someone who was currently battling breast
cancer share their stories. We also had an educational portion given by last year’s CAC
president and nursing student about breast health and performing a breast self-exam. There
were 120 people in attendance and the proceeds went to Relay For Life and the Get In Touch
Foundation.
SCHOOL: Northeastern University
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: Dial Pink: For an afternoon, we held the signature Dial Pink event. We had pink
frosted donuts donated to us by the Dunkin’ Donuts on campus. In order for someone to take a
donut, they had to call a woman over the age of 40 and remind her to get her annual
mammogram. At this table, we had an informational tri-fold and pamphlets on breast cancer
education and general breast health. We also accepted donations for Relay For Life.
SCHOOL: Philadelphia University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Halloween Carnival: An event was held for the local families and children in
the neighborhood. We allowed the children to decorate their own Luminaria bags, while we
sold breast cancer t-shirts and gave away candy and baked goods. There was ACS information
about breast cancer available, as well as a training tool: a mock breast that women could use to
feel for abnormalities was available to the attendees.
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SCHOOL: Saint Francis University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Paper Bras: As part of Pink Week, CAC placed paper bras under the doors of
the dorms, especially targeting the female dorms. The bras had “1 in 8” on the front with a pink
ribbon and had Cancer Education facts on the back, along with the website for cancer.org for
those seeking more information. We made sure to get permission from Residence Life about
the bras.
SCHOOL: Saint Francis University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: T-Shirts through the Bookstore: During Pink Week, the bookstore sold “Fight
like a Girl” t-shirts with pink boxing gloves before, during, and after pink week. 25% of the
proceeds went to Relay For Life. Our bookstore sold out at least three times and had to order
more. It was great to see everyone showing their support and wearing the shirts around
campus. This was the first time our bookstore sold shirts for CAC as we traditionally ordered
shirts from a company. Shirts through the bookstore were very easy and helpful as we didn’t
have to worry about figuring out how many shirts to buy then sell. The bookstore took care of
ordering, buying, and selling the shirts then gave us a check with our portion of the proceeds.
We used the bookstore for other CAC events and plan to use it in the future. We raised over
$1,000 with these shirts for Relay For Life through the bookstore. In the past, we raised about
$500 through an outside vendor.
SCHOOL: Shippensburg University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Paint the Campus Pink with Pink Dinner and Pink Pumpkins: During October,
our CAC Chapter planned and implemented Paint the Campus PINK Week in order to spread
awareness about breast cancer across our campus. There were different events that occurred
each day. We had tables in our student union center and dining hall that had handouts and
other information. In addition to this, we also sold pink t-shirts that were designed by our
Online/PR Chair. Our dining hall was a phenomenal asset to making our event a success. On
Tuesday of PINK Week, our dining hall held a “Pink Dinner” to spread awareness. They served
various pink foods and decorated with balloons and a pink pumpkin painting table. Our CAC
Committee helped decorate and sat at the tables to help answer questions and educate the
members of our campus community on the effects of breast cancer. On Wednesday evening,
Colleges Against Cancer worked with the Women’s Center to put together a “Breastival.” This
was held in a large facility on campus and had tables with breast cancer information and fun
activities for the audience to participate in. Our Cancer Education Chair contacted a breast
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cancer specialist to come give an extremely inspiring talk on the signs and effects of breast
cancer.
SCHOOL: Slippery Rock University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Presence in the Community: CAC had a booth at Slippery Rock’s annual
community fair called VillageFest. A lot of clubs and organizations from Slippery Rock University
attend, as well as a lot of community businesses, so it’s a great way to promote CAC and Relay
and network with local businesses and collegiate clubs and organizations. We bring sponsorship
packets to this event and have gotten several in-kind donations! VillageFest is all day, 10 AM – 5
PM, and college students, parents, and community members attend. At CAC’s table, we had
breast cancer information (handouts and an informative tri-fold), sold breast cancer awareness
t-shirts (“Big or Small Save Them All!”), and sold homemade pretzels dipped in pink chocolate
and tied with a bow that had a piece of paper with ACS’s contact info. CAC also created a
jeopardy-style game called “Know Your Ta-Tas” with breast cancer questions and answers that
we encouraged everyone who passed to try out. A lot of people played the game and found it
very entertaining and informative. People who got questions correct got Smarties and those
that got questions wrong received Dum-Dums. Through all of our sales and donations, CAC
made $610.00, which was a great start to the year!
CAC was also contacted by the manager at the local Giant Eagle, who asked us to run a
breast cancer awareness table at the store. Committee members worked in shifts on October
19 from 10 AM – 4PM, running the table right inside the front doors at Giant Eagle. The
manager donated large breast cancer awareness helium balloons that he had us sell at $5 and
keep all of the profits. We brought all of the supplies we had at VillageFest except for the tshirts. We also had information about SRU’s Relay For Life and CAC. This was great exposure for
us because this is the only grocery store in Slippery Rock. We raised $200 from this fundraiser.
We also got a first-time $250 sponsorship of Relay from the Slippery Rock, so it was a great
experience and we’re excited to do it again!
SCHOOL: St. Olaf College
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Breast Cancer Panel: During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our committee
put together a panel of breast cancer survivors who shared their stories with all of the St. Olaf
students.
SCHOOL: Susquehanna University
DIVISION: East Central
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BEST PRACTICE: Bra Chain: We collected bras around campus from all the dorms to create a bra
chain that was hung outside of our campus center for the month of October to market that
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We also decorated the campus trees and light
poles with pink satin ribbon to make our campus more aware.
SCHOOL: Susquehanna University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Breastival: We asked the sororities, the girls’ sports teams, and the health club
if they would be interested in participating in the Breastival that was to be held in our campus
center one night during October. We had 6 different groups, along with Colleges Against
Cancer, set up tables in Melon Lounge. Each table provides those passing by with breast cancer
fact pamphlets and reminders to get breasts checked regularly. Each table also had some sort
of event to raise money for the ACS, such as “Pin-the-Nipple on the Boob,” “Guess How Many
Candy Corns Fill an E-Cup Bra,” boobie cupcakes and cookies, and t-shirts that said “Save the
Hooters.”
SCHOOL: University of California - Davis
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Mother’s Day Mammograms: Students were able to write a note to their
moms for Mother’s Day, using cards provided from the UCD Cancer Center. This was done
during a spring health fair tabling event as well as the general club meeting. Included in each
note was information provided from the ACS about mammogram screening and cancer
prevention tips. Most of the materials — information, envelopes, and postage — were donated
by the ACS. This event could be more successful in the future if a separate tabling event was
designated for it.
SCHOOL: University of California - Irvine
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Booth at Campus-wide Event: The school held a contest for having the best
booth. We used this event to educate our campus about breast cancer and adopted the theme
of “scare away cancer.” We had a game called Boob Toss and a cardboard cut0out that said
“Get a Mammogram” and “Protect your Tatas” to take pictures with. The game was free to play
but donations were accepted to go towards Relay For Life. Each participant that played the
game was given an educational brochure from ACS about breast self-exams and the ABCs of
breast health. We were awarded second place and $100 for the best booth.
SCHOOL: University of California - Los Angeles
DIVISION: California
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BEST PRACTICE: Breast Cancer Awareness Rally: The Cancer Education Committee planned and
successfully executed the Breast Cancer Awareness Rally at UCLA’s main plaza area. At the rally,
we also educated students about breast cancer prevention. Attendees had supplies to create
custom-made bracelets out of clear string and pink alphabet beads; many students made
personalized items in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Pink ribbon pins and balloons were
also distributed to spread awareness across campus: we wrote the name of the event and
location on the balloons, which served as free advertisement moving through campus all day!
Breast cancer awareness-themed t-shirts were also sold at the event.
SCHOOL: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Saving Second Base 5K: Our annual “Saving Second Base” event is an
educational program and event that has been held for eight years now, but this is only the
second year including a 5K. All participants were given shirts, food, and an opportunity to learn
ways to both prevent and detect breast cancer.
SCHOOL: University of Northern Iowa
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Breast Fest: This was a week-long event that took place in October that is now
part of an annual event for our campus. The campus was very cooperative. With our Alumni
Association, we sold 1700 pink and black “Losing is NOT an option!” shirts in three days. These
shirts were worn at a breast cancer awareness women’s soccer game on Wednesday and a
women’s volleyball game on Friday. Survivors were recognized at these games. These games
also had breast cancer awareness t-shirts for sale, a pink ribbon board where fans could write
the names of people they know that have been affected by cancer, and pick up informational
pamphlets. Table tents were set up around campus with breast cancer awareness facts on
them. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week, we had tables in our union with
breast cancer awareness t-shirts for sale, a pink ribbon board where students could write the
names of people they know that have been affected by cancer, pick up informational
pamphlets, get a flyer on how to do self-examinations and be encouraged to do them monthly,
and possibly even sign up to be a part of the Relay For Life on our campus. Over 1500 pink
ribbons were also passed out at the events held during Breast Fest.
SCHOOL: University of Northern Iowa
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Homecoming Stand: For UNI’s Homecoming stand, our CAC Chapter
incorporated Cancer Education into our Homecoming festivities. We had an informational
booth where we handed out facts about cancer with ribbons. We handed out purple and pink
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ribbons to support Relay For Life and breast cancer awareness, as well as the purple showing
our school pride since purple and gold are our school’s colors. We also handed out several
informational fliers at this event as well. We painted a homecoming-themed canvas with cancer
information that was displayed with other student organization canvases during Homecoming.
In addition to this, we sold breast cancer awareness t-shirts and last year’s Relay For Life
participant t-shirts that had been tie-dyed with our school’s colors.
SCHOOL: University of Scranton
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Meal from the ACS Cookbook: As part of Pink Week, our cafeteria staff made
an apricot chicken and rice meal for dinner from an ACS cookbook we had in our club closet.
We decorated the area where students could get this meal with pink pompoms and our
survivor chain and again wrote facts on the glass. As a rule, the cafeteria notes how many
plates they give out for each type of meal at dinner and lunch. This meal became the most
popular meal the University has offered since opening their new cafeteria, handing out over
800 plates throughout dinnertime.
SCHOOL: University of Scranton
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Pink Zumba: As part of Pink Week, we hosted Pink Zumba. We have a student
instructor who holds a Zumba class weekly and we worked with her for this event. We
advertised for all participants to dress in all pink. With a $2 donation, participants could receive
a free water bottle (with a fact explaining the importance of exercising) and a free raffle ticket.
We also gave a prize for the most enthusiastic Zumba participant and the student dressed in
the most pink. We had a great turnout with over 50 students.
SCHOOL: University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Breasticle Testicle Festival: We held the Breasticle Testicle Festival in October.
This was a campus-wide dodgeball tournament where teams of 5-7 people could sign up and
play dodgeball against each other for prizes. We had a speaker come in and talk about her
struggle with breast cancer and be the judge of our best dressed/most creative group. We had
beverages and free t-shirts there for participants.
SCHOOL: Western Kentucky University
DIVISION: Mid South
BEST PRACTICE: Hair Streaking: In October, we wanted to recognize how far we’ve come in the
fight against breast cancer and had a Relay Rally focused on breast cancer activities. Our most
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popular was a streaking booth. We had bottles of pink temporary spray-in dye and had people
wear stickers that said, “I went Streaking for Relay For Life.” We temporarily dyed a strand of
their hair pink. We also had a lot of facts about breast cancer so we could help people
understand that cancer isn’t an “old person’s disease.”
SCHOOL: Wittenberg University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Boobie Bingo: We did a regular Bingo game session during which breast cancer
facts were read aloud for participants.
SCHOOL: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: Boys in Bras Tabling / Whatever You Call ‘Em, Save ‘Em Poster: CAC partnered
with the brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity for a week of breast cancer awareness in
October. Stationed in the Campus Center, which is the hub of student life at WPI, CAC members
sat at a table with a donation bucket, bake sale items, and informational materials from ACS
about breast cancer awareness, prevention, detection, and treatment. The TKE brothers wore
their letter shirts underneath flamboyant bras, which they asked people to stuff with money to
be donated to WPI’s Relay For Life. They also carried around a poster that said, “Whatever you
call ‘em, Save ‘em!”, and asked students to write as many creative names for breasts as they
could. This method truly drew the most attention to RFL/CAC’s cause amidst the sea of tabling
student organizations asking for money or publicity. At the end of the week, we raised over
$700, and were featured in the November New England College Newsletter, as well as our own
campus newspaper, The Towers.
SCHOOL: Xavier University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Famous Women Display: In the stairwell of our student center, we set up a
display showing famous women who have had breast cancer and had a pink ribbon to be signed
by those who have been affected by breast cancer.
SCHOOL: Yale University
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: Pretty in Pink: A Breast Cancer Awareness Fashion Show: The culmination of
Pink Week at Yale 2010 was the second annual Pretty in Pink fashion show. Although only in its
second year, this fashion show has become one of the signature events of Yale Colleges Against
Cancer. We collaborate with Yale’s undergraduate fashion group, YCouture, for the show,
which came about in 2009 as a result of a love for fashion in our then-president. The goal of the
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event is to create a unique, fun, and fashionable venue to both raise money for breast cancer
research and increase awareness about breast cancer and its preventability. At the 2010 Pretty
in Pink fashion show, we had over 35 models (selected from a pool of over 100 students who
wanted to model!) who wore 45 outfits donated by local boutiques and retailers around New
Haven. Our cancer warriors reached out to these stores and secured the donations, and donors
were recognized in the event program and via window posters. While some donated full pieces
(dresses, sweatshirts, polos, etc.), others lent the outfits to be worn at the show and we later
returned them. The YCouture group organized the fitting of the outfits, selection of the models,
and coordination of the day-of show structure; they additionally reserved a full 30-foot runway
and spotlight setup. At the event, which was held in one of the dining halls on campus, the
cancer warriors sold our Pink Week t-shirts and boob cookies, gave out informational resources
about breast cancer, and acted as ushers. We drew a large crowd that included many members
of the faculty and parents, and had an enormously successful event with nearly $1000 profit.
Professional photographers were on hand and people were commenting about the outfits and
show on Facebook, where the photos were posted, for months afterwards. Yale Daily News did
video piece on the event (http://www.yaledailynews.com/videos/2010/oct/25/460/).
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Awareness – Lung Cancer, including the Great American Smokeout
For best practices for GASO that focus on Advocacy, see the Advocacy Best Practices Guide.
SCHOOL: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Station-Style Great American Smokeout: During the month of November, the
Education Committee and the CAC Executive Board held an annual event, the Great American
Smokeout (GASO), on a larger scale than we ever have before! Before the event, table cards
were placed on the cafeteria tables, flyers were posted, a Facebook event was created, pictures
of decayed and blackened lungs and caution tape were posted on trees around campus, and a
large poster with graphic visuals showing the damaging effects of smoking was posted on
campus. Multiple student organizations from ACPHS also participated in the event. We had
numerous red decorations such as streamers, balloons, and red tablecloths. Lung cancer
awareness flyers were hung in the bathrooms for the month of November. We also created a
great upbeat playlist. There were numerous stations at GASO including:
- Welcome Table: Each participant was given a punch card with the names of all the GASO
stations. The punch cards served a way for us to record event attendance and guide
participants from station to station. In addition, attendees were offered cold turkey
sandwiches (to go along with the “Quit Cold Turkey” theme!) when turning in their
punch cards. In addition, t-shirts with a picture of a smoking frog and the saying “Stop
Smokin’ or you’ll be Croakin” were sold at the welcome table.
- Why to Quit: This table was hosted by the CAC Education Committee. Many, many
pamphlets were distributed and trifold poster boards about topics such as the dangers
of smoking while pregnant, the dangerous chemicals in cigarettes, the short term and
long term effects of smoking, the high costs associated with smoking, and the increased
risks of diseases such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, and heart disease. The committee also
soaked a packet of cigarettes in a fishbowl of water for one week. The water in the bowl
was black and disgusting by the day of GASO and was a strong visual for attendees.
- How to Quit: Information on different medications to use for quitting, contact
information for quit hotlines, and the steps of quitting were presented and distributed
at this station. In addition, CAC members put together 50 quit kits to give out. Freebies
such as highlighters, magnets, carabineers, etc., were also handed out.
- 24-Hour Pledge: The ACPHS fraternity Phi Delta Chi hosted this station and encouraged
smokers to sign a petition saying that they would quit smoking for 24 hours.
- No Tobacco Sold in Pharmacies: As a pharmacy school, this is a particularly important
issue for us. The Tobacco Free Coalition has been part of this movement and brought a
petition for students to sign. The Tobacco Free Coalition also brought a variety of
materials on how to quit smoking and gave out pens to those who visited the station.
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Advocacy/ACS CAN: The CAC Advocacy Committee educated students on a bill that
aimed to increase insurance coverage on the drug Chantix, a drug to help smokers quit.
The petition was actually printed onto fake cigarette boxes which the students signed.
These boxes were shipped to legislators’ offices.
Operation Heart: This station was hosted by the ACPHS Chapter of the American
Pharmacists Association (ApHA). They provided information on the increased risk of
heart disease for smokers.
Smoke-Free Campus: The ACPHS Chapter of the American Society of Health Systems
Pharmacists (SSHP) presented information to the ACPHS community about how our
campus can go smoke-free and reasons why we should go smoke-free.
SCHOOL: Boston University
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: Go Cold Turkey Toss: For the Great American Smokeout, we held an event
called the Go Cold Turkey Toss on the front lawn of a school building. We had a frozen turkey
that we allowed students to toss, and the top three distances received a free “I Put Out” t-shirt
(the O is a no smoking sign). The winner also received a Starbucks gift card. We also had a
poster detailing the dangers of smoking in connection with cancer.
SCHOOL: Drexel University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Giant Ashtray: We got permission from the University to have a small fire to
roast marshmallows to attract attention and get students to stop by our table. We also had a
large baby pool decorated to look like an ashtray and we asked students to throw their packs of
cigarettes in it for some free marshmallows.
SCHOOL: Duquesne University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Ingredients in a Cigarette: We typed up all 599 ingredients that are in a
cigarette – one ingredient on an 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper – and laminated and lined all 599
pieces of paper along Academic Walk – the main outdoor walkway through campus. It almost
completely stretched from one side of campus to the other. We put it out first thing in the
morning and cleaned it up that evening. On light posts above the ingredients, we had posters
made to explain what this was for and GASO. It got everyone’s attention! People were
constantly stopping to read the ingredients and posters. We also put flyers up everywhere on
campus that said things like “Have you seen A-walk today?” to generate even more interest.
Several professors stopped us while we were working to tell us how much they appreciated
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what we were doing. It was such a big statement and really generated a lot of interest and
discussion. It was the big impact we were looking for.
SCHOOL: John Carroll University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Cigarette Butt Collection: Committee members collected cigarette butts from
the containers on campus for one week. At the end of the week, they totaled how many
cigarettes were collected. After the guessing was done, they posted the number of cigarettes
and had a sign that said “JCU spent this much money on cigarettes this week. ACS could have
funded X amount of programs with this money.”
SCHOOL: Lebanon Valley College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Trivia Raffle: We hung flyers with lung cancer facts around campus and no
smoking cigarettes with facts were also hung up around campus. There was a table for lunch
and dinner with a tri-fold board with lung cancer facts on it. We asked people to answer a
question correctly about lung cancer and their name was entered into a free raffle to win a
GASO cup full of candy. Quitting packets and brochures were also available. This event was very
successful.
SCHOOL: Lock Haven University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Toilet for Cigarettes: We had a table with facts on quitting smoking with the
benefits attached to candy to hand out to our students. We also have a make-shift toilet that
people were able to throw away their cigarettes in. Our committee did a wonderful job coming
up with “quit kits” that included play dough, gum, breath mints, a stress ball, and some
information on how quitting can change everything.
SCHOOL: Lycoming College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Black-Out: We hung facts throughout campus to help create awareness for
lung cancer. Health Services assisted through promoting a program: the first 20 people to turn
in a pack of cigarettes will get a $5 value coupon to the local late night snack place on campus.
Health Services also assisted in providing GASO facts in their monthly newsletter. We also
encouraged students to wear black on Wednesday to create awareness throughout campus.
SCHOOL: Marquette University
DIVISION: Midwest
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BEST PRACTICE: “The Only Smoke that Should Be Seen is that from a Grill:” We set up a
fundraiser selling food, drinks, and s’mores to campus, advertising that “The Only Smoke that
Should Be Seen is from a Grill.” We had many informational pamphlets and help-related items
available, as well as shocking statistics posted for students walking by to read. We collaborated
with the Center for Health Education & Promotion and Peer Health Educators with this event
and met with them every week for 2 months to gather and brainstorm more ways to reach our
community.
SCHOOL: Miami University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Smoke-Free Banners: In November, we supported the Great American
Smokeout by having students sign a banner as a pledge to live a smoke-free life. We then
displayed these banners around campus to show students how many of their peers don’t
smoke. We also sold t-shirts advertising the Great American Smokeout and gave all of the
money to the ACS. Additionally, we collaborated with Miami’s Mobile Health Unit to promote
smoking cessation classes.
SCHOOL: Midwestern State University
DIVISION: High Plains
BEST PRACTICE: Poster Contest: We went to area junior high schools to do a “Don’t Smoke”
poster contest.
SCHOOL: Philadelphia University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Comparison of Tobacco to Candy: We had a table in the student center during
the free period with information from the American Cancer Society and the University’s own
How to Quit information. We also had “Why Tax Free?” postcards and ACS CAN information.
We purchased Kodiak chewing tobacco and Marlboro Snus in addition to candy like gum and
Bubble Tape to show how these products are marketed to look like candy enticing to children.
SCHOOL: Shippensburg University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: 5K Walk/Run: In November, our Advocacy Chair worked to create the 2nd
Annual 5K Walk/Run at Shippensburg University. It was held right off campus on the rail trails
and engaged members of both the campus and the community. Leading up to this event, the
members of CAC had tables in the student union center to promote lung cancer awareness in
conjunction with the Great American Smokeout and advocating for tax on smokeless tobacco.
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There were over 60 participants and our CAC Chapter ended up raising over $1,000 towards our
Relay For Life goal.
SCHOOL: State University of New York (SUNY) - Oneonta
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Peace Love Smokeout: We got permission from the school to post “No
smoking within 20 feet of this building” signs at every residence hall for the week. We
borrowed Mr. Butts from ACS and had him walk around campus asking people to pledge to quit
smoking. We tabled in our main dining hall where we had a “Kiss me – I don’t smoke” banner
for people to sign. We sold “I Put Out / Peace Love Smokeout” shirts. We had non-smokers
pledge to continue not smoking and smokers pledge to quit and hung their signed pledges
around the dining hall for the day. We got the school to donate 50 cold turkey sandwiches
which we gave to anyone who pledged to quit “cold turkey” that day and threw their cigarettes
into a garbage can we decorated that promoted no smoking. We gave out quit kits that our ACS
staff partner made for us and all sorts of pamphlets on quitting smoking and lung cancer.
SCHOOL: Thomas Jefferson University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: GASO at the Hospital: As part of the national Great American Smokeout effort,
this past November we set up and manned an informational table in the main lobby of Thomas
Jefferson University Hospital, providing educational materials to both patients and staff on
topics ranging from lung cancer statistics to various smoking cessation programs. In addition, as
a way to further encourage people to quit smoking that day, the hospital agreed to run a 10%
discount on smoked turkey croissant sandwiches in the cafeteria that day, with signs there
explaining the Smokeout and encouraging people to quit “cold turkey.”
SCHOOL: University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY)
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Mr. Butts Photo Opportunities: For the Great American Smokeout, Students of
Albany Against Cancer tabled with materials for lung cancer tabling. At the same time, another
member dressed up as Mr. Butts went around campus all day taking pictures with students.
These photos were made available in following weeks on our Facebook page. Mr. Butts also
stood by popular smoking sites telling students they were too close to buildings.
SCHOOL: University of Akron
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Cigarette Sticks: We painted the rock black and handed out pamphlets. We
also handed out candy sticks and painted sticks that looked like cigarettes with facts.
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SCHOOL: University of California - Irvine
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Flash Mob: We participated in the Great American Smokeout by educating the
campus about the harmful effects of tobacco smoke through posters with tobacco statistics and
informational handouts. We also did a “flash mob” and acted out the statistic that, every 6.5
seconds, a person dies a tobacco-related death. We made a cigarette carton costume with a
cardboard box for someone to wear. A group of CAC-ers would then walk around campus
(inconspicuously) with this cigarette carton. The cigarette carton person would then point to a
person in the club who would proceed to fall to the floor “dead.” Every 6.5 seconds, the
cigarette would point to a new person who would “die” until everyone in the club was lying
“dead” on the floor. The “dead” would hold up tobacco-related statistics and, at the end, the
cigarette would read out the statistic and information related to the harmful effects of tobacco.
These “flash mobs” were run throughout the day at different places on campus. At our
information booth, we passed out tobacco education information about lung cancer and
quitting smoking. We had a trade-a-cigarette-for-a-lollipop station as well.
SCHOOL: University of California - San Diego
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: Drop Dead Demonstration: In fall quarter, we ran the Drop Dead
Demonstration for the Great American Smokeout. We had 15 people suddenly “drop dead” on
library walk, a very busy area of campus, and yelled out facts about the risks of smoking and the
dangers to non-smokers.
SCHOOL: University of Maryland
DIVISION: South Atlantic
BEST PRACTICE: Promoting a Smoking Cessation Program and the 15-Foot Rule: We worked
with the person who runs the smoking cessation program at the University to pass out
information about the dangers of smoking, our smoking cessation program, a questionnaire to
find out what people know about the danger of smoking and how they would feel about
designated smoking areas. We had students trade in their cigarette packs for a prize. We
chalked all over campus, writing facts about smoking and tobacco. We also put caution tape
around buildings on campus with a 15-foot perimeter to emphasize our campus’s 15-foot “no
smoking” rule outside of buildings, with flyers to explain the rule. Most students on our
campus, as we found out from speaking with students and from our questionnaire, do not
actually know that there is a 15-foot “no smoking” rule around buildings. This attracted quite a
bit of attention. Journalism students used this activity for projects, and this was also in our
school’s main newspaper.
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SCHOOL: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Kicking Ash Concert: In November, we hosted a “Kicking Ash” concert aimed at
educating the University community about lung cancer and the ways in which it can be
prevented. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States but also by far
the most preventable type of cancer. By passing along vital information on the hazards of
smoking, CAC is helping extend the lives of thousands of students, smokers and non-smokers
alike.
SCHOOL: University of Pennsylvania
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Anti-Smoking Lesson for Middle School Students: We held an anti-smoking
lesson at a local Philadelphia middle school. The students learned about the harm in smoking
and then completed their own “anti-smoking” campaign posters that were hung around the
school.
SCHOOL: University of Pittsburgh
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Picture Transformation and Pig Lungs: A local agency, Smoke-Free Allegheny,
brought in technology that allowed students’ pictures to be taken and transformed using age
progression technology. This showed students what they would look like if they smoked
cigarettes. Another display showed a healthy pig lung and a tumor-covered pig lung in glass
containers. By stepping on a pump, students could see the difference in how these two lungs
“breathe.” Finally, the Health Education Office and Colleges Against Cancer provided tri-folds
and handouts with more information on staying smoke- and cancer-free. Resources were
provided to those who wished to quit smoking, and students were educated about Q.U.I.T., a
quit-smoking program available to Pitt students for free. All students who visited the table were
asked to sign a poster that said “I pledge to be smoke-free for 24 hours.” They were also asked
to write a reason for their pledge. Sample responses include “I don’t want cancer,” “I don’t
want to waste money,” and “I don’t want to die young.” Overall, our efforts were very
successful in reaching out to the student population at Pitt.
SCHOOL: University of Pittsburgh
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Tobacco Trivia, with a Focus on Hookah: One game we played on campus
involved a tobacco trivia sheet which students could turn in to receive a free t-shirt. The tshirts said “I hope you put out…” on the front, followed by “…that cigarette” on the back. Trivia
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sheets were made available on Facebook in advance. About 30 students turned in the trivia
sheets, but many more answered the questions orally at the table. Students were corrected
about many misconceptions, with a focus on the widely-held belief that hookah is a “safe” form
of tobacco. We made a game available that involved a giant plastic cigarette and a hookah. The
objective was for the students to match the parts of the cigarette to the parts of the hookah
(ash, filter, tobacco, and mouthpiece). This was to show students how similar cigarettes and
hookah really are.
SCHOOL: University of Tulsa
DIVISION: High Plains
BEST PRACTICE: Breathing through Straws: In November, we had the committee members
breathing through stir straws to simulate a smoker’s daily breathing.
SCHOOL: University of Wisconsin – Superior
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Chalking Bodies: We chalked bodies and facts on the sidewalk. We also made
t-shirts and tabled in our student center. The campus community was able to participate in
turkey bowling and grab a free turkey sandwich in support of quitting “cold turkey.” All of these
activities provided an opportunity for us to educate our campus along with the handouts we
had available.
SCHOOL: Villanova University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Balloon Pop: We did a Balloon Pop in the cafeteria where we popped a balloon
every 8 seconds, because someone dies from a tobacco-related illness every 8 seconds. We also
had students wearing sandwich boards that said “Blow Bubbles, Not Smoke.” They blew
bubbles when people walked by and handed out anti-smoking information.
SCHOOL: Xavier University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Display of Chemicals in a Cigarette: We set up a table in our student center.
The tablecloth used was made up of construction paper on which all of the ingredients of
cigarettes were written and taped together. On the table was a display of household chemicals
that can be found in tobacco products, along with visual representations that were made to
represent chemicals that are too illegal to have sitting around. Also on the table was a place for
people to pledge to quit, to sign why people should quit, or to sign how tobacco products have
affected them. We also had legislation cards from ACS to be signed to increase the tax on
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tobacco products. The last thing on the table was a lunchbox containing candy and tobacco
products, asking which you should choose.
SCHOOL: Yale University
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: Top of Your Lungs: A Celebrity Karaoke Contest: Our headline event for GASO
2010 was a “celebrity” karaoke contest. We recruited six well-known teachers from various
departments and leadership positions and set up a karaoke system in one of the dining halls on
campus during the dinner hour (5-7PM) of GASO. Many people came specifically for the show,
but, because we hosted it in the dining hall during dinner hour, we had a full house by default.
After some initial technical difficulties, we got the event going and it ended up being a huge
success. One of our freshman CAC members whose father was battling lung cancer at the time
(he has since passed away) gave a very powerful anti-tobacco speech to kick off the show, and,
between each performance, members of CAC read tobacco-related facts from cue cards. By the
end of the event, we were inviting up students to sing, and the highlight of the night came
when the dining hall workers performed “Bohemian Rhapsody.” You can see all of the
performances on our YouTube Channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/YaleRelayForLife.
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Awareness – Skin Cancer
SCHOOL: Bloomsburg University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Sunglasses: We handed out over 150 sunglasses with skin cancer facts and
prevention facts tied to them to students in the quad right before spring break. They went very
quickly.
SCHOOL: Muhlenberg College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Spray Tan Discounts: We organized a promotion with a local tanning salon to
give Muhlenberg College students a discount on spray tans for the month to promote harmless
tanning and skin cancer awareness.
SCHOOL: Philadelphia University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Great American Skin Event: We had a guest dermatologist come and give a
lecture on the importance of sunscreen as well as talk about how to check your own skin for
possible signs in skins of all colors. We offered sunscreen samples and a chance to make UV
bracelets. Students were able to receive 1 PE signature for attending this health class.
SCHOOL: Philadelphia University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: UV Bracelet Making: We had UV beads so students and faculty could make
bracelets to wear and know when to apply sunscreen, as well as advertise our Relay event
which was only a week away from the day of this event.
SCHOOL: Providence College
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: The Truth about Tanning with a DermaScan: Prior to Providence College’s
spring vacation, our chapter aimed to educate the student body on tanning, both natural and
indoor, and its correlation to skin cancer. We invited a speaker, a cancer survivor having been
diagnosed with melanoma at age twenty. Prior to her bout with cancer, Meghan visited
tanning beds on a regular basis. As a young woman who also attended school in Rhode Island,
we found her story to be both powerful and very relatable to our student body. Meghan
provided an educational PowerPoint, including pictures of her, post-surgery. She also informed
students on a number of tanning alternatives, including spray tanning and self-tanners; Meghan
showed several self-tanning samples with reviews and ratings on each. At the event, ACS
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provided us with a DermaScan for guests to analyze their skin. We found this to be very
powerful because students were able to see the damage done to their own skin, making the
event’s message more personal to each person.
SCHOOL: South Dakota State University
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Soybean Sunscreen: During our “Wellness Day,” we set up a booth about skin
cancer. A fellow member of our group received 500 free samples of soybean sunscreen. The
free item drew students to visit the booth.
SCHOOL: University of Akron
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Skin Cancer Awareness Week: We tabled in our student union all week. We
passed out pamphlets with information on how to protect your skin. We also had a quiz to see
if you are at risk. We had bracelets that were UV light sensitive and had sunglasses to pass out
to everyone who walked by.
SCHOOL: University of Cincinnati
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Popsicles and Sunscreen: It was part of Welcome Week for the incoming
freshman to get to know campus and student organizations. We had a table on our campus’s
MainStreet and passed out free popsicles, sunscreen, and information on skin cancer. This was
also how we recruited a lot of new members to join CAC for this year.
SCHOOL: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Practice Safe Sun Event: Since many college students engage in activities such
as tanning to prepare for spring break, we hosted our “Practice Safe Sun” skin cancer event in
March to educate students. Tanning is one of the easiest ways to get skin cancer, so we decided
to put on an awareness and educational campaign warning students against the dangers of
tanning and sitting out in the sun during break. We passed out sunscreen samples, sunglasses,
and SPF lip balm as well as educational materials. While playing trivia limbo, students were able
to learn ways that they can protect themselves from getting skin cancer.
SCHOOL: University of Scranton
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Safe Spring Break: For this event, we partnered with an organization on
campus known as CHEW, the Center for Health Education and Wellness. They were holding
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their annual Safe Spring Break event that informs students of the dangers of the sun and other
risky behaviors associated with spring break. For this event, our club borrowed a skin scanner
from another local organization known as the NorthEast Regional Cancer Institute. Here,
students were given the opportunity to see how much damage they have done to their own
skin as to hopefully open their eyes and change their behaviors. We also had skin cancer
informational packets to hand out to the students.
SCHOOL: University of Southern California
DIVISION: California
BEST PRACTICE: “Holey Moley” Game: We had students play the “Holey Moley” game. We
painted a face on a board, cut holes for moles, and played cornhole. We incorporate the
ABCDEs of cancerous moles by asking participants to state the ABCDEs before each toss.
SCHOOL: University of St. Thomas
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Sunglasses: We hosted a sun safety table prior to spring break and passed out
sunglasses and information about melanoma prevention.
SCHOOL: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: Sunscreen Slip ‘n’ Slide: One week after Relay, CAC partnered with Alpha Xi
Delta and Phi Sigma Sigma sororities to co-sponsor a sunscreen slip ’n’ slide on the quad. We
also invited Phi Gamma Delta and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternities to barbeque with us, and the
entire campus was invited to the event. We rented a giant inflatable slip ’n’ slide with two
tracks for racing, and the quad was packed with students running down the slide, putting on
sunblock, and enjoying the barbeque. The quad was also filled with signs for teams who hit
fundraising levels, as well as ones thanking the campus for all the hard work they put into
Relay! We were extremely lucky that the first truly hot day of the summer fell on the same day,
so many, many students were enthusiastic about the event, and it will certainly be repeated.
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Awareness – Testicular Cancer
SCHOOL: Carroll University
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Protect Your Balls Kickball: The first program that we did was our Protect Your
Balls Kickball event. We wanted to raise awareness for testicular cancer.
SCHOOL: Dakota State University
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Testicle Festival: We decided that because we’d had a week focused on breast
cancer in the fall, we’d do a week in the spring to focus on testicular cancer since it is mostly
prevalent in the age group of our students. We also had t-shirts created that could be
purchased. In total, we fundraised $500.49 through this event.
Be Sweet, Be Aware: We gave out peanuts in bags with info on testicular cancer.
Get a Grip: This was the second day of passing out peanuts to the students that said “Be
sweet to your nuts - check ‘em!”
Great Ballway Race: We had human-size hamster ball races in the campus Marketplace.
Students could either race for the fastest time for a prize and/or race another person.
The South Dakota National Guard brought the hamster balls as well as provided prizes.
Top Jewels Tournament: We held our first annual “Top Jewels” Dodgeball Tournament
at the field house on campus. We had a total of ten teams take part. The winning team
played for the “Golden Nut-Cup.” At the end of the tournament, we played one giant
game of dodgeball.
Blue Crew with the Men’s Basketball Team: On Saturday night of our Testicle Festival,
we partnered up with the men’s basketball team to decorate the gym in blue and
promote awareness for testicular cancer. Each of the team members played or coached
in honor or in memory of someone.
SCHOOL: Grand Valley State University
DIVISION: Great Lakes
BEST PRACTICE: Boxer Decorating Contest: At Relay, we held a successful boxer-decorating
contest during the Prostate and Testicular Cancer Awareness Hour.
SCHOOL: Iowa State University
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Protect Your Balls Dodgeball Tournament: Teams of six students sign up and
pay a fee to enter the tournament which raises money for testicular cancer. The event takes
place at ISU’s recreational center. Teams compete and advance through the tournament until a
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winner is determined. The winners this year received a trophy with an athletic nut cup
attached, packs of Gatorade, and Monster energy drinks.
SCHOOL: Lock Haven University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Save Your Balls Dodgeball Tournament: This event combined the
competitiveness of an old-fashioned dodgeball game with the awareness for testicular cancer.
Our event, the “Save Your Balls” Dodgeball Tournament, brought in about 10 teams with a
combination of genders and ages. The tournament was a battle for the prize -- “Protecting My
Balls” t-shirts -- as well as the satisfaction of aiding the American Cancer Society. Each team
donated $30 to participate which went towards our Relay For Life goal. We had interesting facts
and information available along with ACS CAN forms and available information for Relay For
Life.
SCHOOL: Saint Francis University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Male Cancer Awareness Week AKA “Blue Week:” Signs were hung up around
campus to spread Cancer Education. Jolly Ranchers and mints were passed out with facts
relating to male cancers in recognition of Cancer Education and Advocacy. In the middle of the
week, there was a second Relay For Life Kick-Off to help get more teams and participants
registered for the event. A dodgeball tournament was held at the end of the week to raise
money for Relay For Life and spread Cancer Education.
SCHOOL: South Dakota State University
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Mixed Nuts: One of our events brought awareness to testicular cancer:
“Protect Your Balls” Dodgeball. Our committee put together baggies of mixed nuts and a small
note informing them of Relay For Life and our dodgeball event.
SCHOOL: St. Norbert College
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Men’s Health Day: We brought in Trey Schwab for Men’s Health Day, a day
created by our CAC group three years ago which solely focuses on Men’s Health. Our college
President actually made a formal declaration that the first Thursday of March will always be
Men’s Health Day! Trey Schwab is a former NBA and Marquette University basketball coach. He
served as the event’s keynote speaker and focused on the importance of organ donations and
health checkups. We also had interactive programs for students to feel what a cancer would
feel like in breasts and testicles (replicas, of course).
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SCHOOL: University of Pittsburgh
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Balls and Wieners Event: Our Balls and Wieners Event focused on testicular
cancer awareness, but the main goal was to raise money for the upcoming Relay. At the event,
members of our organization and Team Captains of the Relay teams worked together to serve
meatball subs and hot dogs to the hungry students. Contacting local businesses to donate these
foods is a long process, especially when our school has many restrictions on preparing food to
sell. This past year, we got meatballs and sauce from Subway and hot dogs from Smith’s. The
campus catering company contributed all of the buns and condiments for the event as well. We
also decided to provide “Balls & Wieners” t-shirts for sale to the public for $10. They were a
huge success and added to the fun of the event. This year, we raised over $950!
SCHOOL: University of Wisconsin - Superior
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Presence at Intramural Dodgeball: We partnered with our Campus Recreation
and hosted a table at the first night of intramural dodgeball. The winners of the league also
received Relay For Life mugs.
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Awareness – Other Cancers
SCHOOL: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
DIVISION: Eastern
BEST PRACTICE: Childhood Activities: Members of the student body and community had the
opportunity to put together puzzles with facts on childhood cancer awareness on the back.
Everyone received free lollipops and, if they put the puzzles together, they were entered into a
raffle for a free t-shirt. The event was advertised through Facebook and flyers.
SCHOOL: Bloomsburg University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Easter Egg Hunt: We partnered with another organization that was holding an
Easter Egg Hunt. We passed out ovarian cancer information and provided giveaways at the
event.
SCHOOL: Juniata College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Condoms with Facts: We placed condoms with facts in the bathrooms around
campus for cervical cancer awareness.
SCHOOL: Juniata College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Giant Colon: We built a giant colon in the Student Union.
SCHOOL: Mansfield University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Egg Hunt: We hosted an Easter egg hunt geared towards ovarian cancer
awareness. We filled Easter eggs with candy along with either a fact about ovarian cancer or a
free Purple Week t-shirt and scattered them around the campus community for students,
faculty, and staff to find.
SCHOOL: Muhlenberg College
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: Postcards: We tabled and had handmade postcards for students to send home
a reminder to a loved one to get tested for colon cancer.
SCHOOL: Northeastern University
DIVISION: New England
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BEST PRACTICE: Lemonade Stand: We held an outdoor lemonade stand at the end of
September where we sold lemonade and donated the profits to Relay For Life. During this
event, customers were able to learn more about the different types of childhood cancer from a
variety of pamphlets and an information tri-fold.
SCHOOL: Ohio University
DIVISION: East Central
BEST PRACTICE: HPV Information: In January and February, OU CAC focused on Cervical Cancer
Month by giving out handbills in the student center with facts and local resources. We had a
person from Planned Parenthood come and speak about HPV and cervical cancer. We also
made Valentine cards for one of our members to take home with them to their family
member’s hospital. For Valentine’s Day, we also held an event called “Kiss Away Cancer.” We
had two girls wear shirts that said “Kiss Away Cancer” on them and had them sell Hershey
Kisses for 25 cents. We also handed out information on men’s and women’s cancers and
information on Look Good, Feel Better in our local area. We sold t-shirts and baked goods at
the event as well.
SCHOOL: Stonehill College
DIVISION: New England
BEST PRACTICE: Prostate Cancer Posters: We created posters to familiarize students with
prostate cancer during September.
SCHOOL: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
DIVISION: Midwest
BEST PRACTICE: Birthday Party: Our first event this year was a childhood cancer event, a new
event this year. This event included a child-themed birthday party near the campus dorms,
educational information about childhood cancer, and involvement of the children at the Ronald
McDonald House. By educating the campus about childhood cancer, we continued to build our
community and expand to other campus organizations.