International Service Program

Conquering Cancer

Amazing Progress
by Phi Theta Kappa Chapters!
602 Chapters Participate
22,371 Members Volunteered
273,484 Hours Committed
682,522 Individuals Reached
$732,969.79 Raised for the American Cancer Society!
Source: Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Annual Reports

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Original American Cancer Society scientific research contributed to the 1964 Surgeon General's Report that officially recognized the link between smoking and lung cancer.

The American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout®, held annually on the third Thursday of November, is dedicated to encouraging smokers to quit smoking for at least one day, in hopes they will quit forever. Chapters have sponsored campus events (Dance Your Butts Off, candy trade for cigarettes, "cold turkey" sandwich sales, etc.) and have worked to get their campus to go smoke free or to enforce smoke-free zones.

Quitting smoking isn't easy, but there are resources available to help smokers succeed. By calling 800.ACS.2345 or visiting www.cancer.org, smokers can double their chances of quitting.

Phi Theta Kappa Recognized at National American Cancer Society Conference
Phi Theta Kappa was recently recognized as a top contributor to the American Cancer Society in 2004 during the Relay For Life® Youth Leadership Summit in Dallas. In three years, Phi Theta Kappa chapters have raised more than $730,000 towards their goal of raising $1 million for the American Cancer Society by spring 2006. Chapter presidents Sharon Holland-Maleby from Volunteer State Community College in Tennessee and Valerie Kacmarcik from Tarrant County College-Northeast Campus in Texas, and Director of Programs Jennifer Stanford represented Phi Theta Kappa at the conference and accepted the National Youth Partner Award from the American Cancer Society.

Bright Fundraising Idea
Relay For Life is just one way Phi Theta Kappa members are raising funds for the American Cancer Society. The Ivy Tech State College chapter in Columbus, Indiana, co-sponsored a "Crafts, Collectibles and More" sale one Saturday in October.

"Since our chapter receives no funding from college funds, the donations were originally going to be used for the chapter," said chapter advisor Rebecca Allen. "Instead, it was decided that one-half of the proceeds would be donated to the American Cancer Society."

The event earned enough money to give membership scholarships to two students and $180 to the American Cancer Society. The chapter received several requests to repeat the sale next year, says Allen. "The chapter earned scholarship funds and found another way to raise money to help continue the fight against cancer."

Cancer Doesn't Take a Holiday
Many chapters sponsor holiday service projects. Here are ways to incorporate Conquering Cancer into your holiday plans:

Home Away From Home. Hope Lodges®, operated by the American Cancer Society, provide temporary free housing to cancer patients while undergoing cancer treatment. The holidays are a wonderful time to host a party, serve meals, socialize with guests, and collect household items needed by residents.

Road to RecoverySM. Cancer patients still undergo treatment during the busy Yuletide season. Volunteer to drive them to their appointments.

Look Good, Feel Better®! 2004 is the 25th anniversary of this program that teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Assist the American Cancer Society in promoting this service and helping to obtain cosmetics and items where necessary.


[Return to the November/December 2004 Golden Key Contents]