The University of Wisconsin-Platteville founded a new organization that is sponsored by the American Cancer Society: Colleges Against Cancer.

The club follows four pillars: survivorship, advocacy, education and Relay for Life, or fundraising.

Colleges Against Cancer seeks to educate the students of Platteville about the risks of cancer and what they can do to prevent and identify it early.

The organization also advocates for cancer-fighting initiatives at the university, as well as state and national levels; it also works to recognize and celebrate survivors within the community.

“Colleges Against Cancer is here to help save lives from cancer. We are here to share hope by helping people get well and stay well by finding cures and fighting back,” Carly Hodes, American Cancer Society staff partner, said.

Founder and President Sammie Tomczewski has been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society for nearly five years.

“When I was a freshman in high school, my grandmother, whom I was very close to, passed away,” sophomore biology major Tomczewski said. “Since then, I have dedicated a lot of my time to help finish the fight against cancer. I noticed that there really wasn’t an organization like this on campus when I came here and with my experience, I figured it would be a fun thing to do.”

Colleges Against Cancer has various future goals: start advocating for a smoke-free campus, become more active with cancer-fighting events on campus, work with other groups to help the American Cancer Society, become an important resource to campus organizations and gain more members who are passionate about finding the cure.

Individuals interested in joining should contact Sammie Tomczewski at [email protected].

Mission Statement: The purpose of Colleges Against Cancer is to unite the students of UW-Platteville with a cause that is universal. Because cancer affects people from all backgrounds, Colleges Against Cancer will bring together a diverse group of people. Colleges Against Cancer seeks to better the university and world by supporting the fight to end cancer. Members of this organization will feel a sense of purpose because of this. In addition, the group supports the mission of the American Cancer Society by educating students about the society and its programs, advocating for cancer-fighting initiatives on campus and servicing those in need.