By Chesney Monroe
Staff Writer
Lacie Fink, freshman accounting major from Mobile, Ala., was excited to start college last August. Fink was looking forward to getting started in her major and taking courses in accounting, business and interpersonal communication.
Instead, she is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Fink found out Jan. 7 that she has Stage II Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“I was shocked to find out that I had cancer,” Fink said. “I’ve always been very healthy, and other than hard, enlarged knots on my neck and brief headaches, I wouldn’t have known I had tumors growing inside me. It’s unsettling to realize how far the cancer could have progressed. It was a miracle that we caught it so early.”
A random survey of students in the Lexington Inn showed 17 out of 20 (85 percent) students know someone who has cancer or they themselves have been affected by cancer in some way.
To help raise cancer awareness, Union’s faculty and staff have started a Relay for Life team for anyone on campus. As a branch of the American Heart Association, the Relay for Life group meets once a month and comes up with fundraising ideas to raise money.
Christi Young, administrative assistant to the dean of Christian Studies, said the team already has hosted a bake sale that raised about $200.
Team members are selling strawberries now and plan to host a number of events, including a footprint fundraiser that will take place within the next month in the Student Union Building.
“Our idea is to sell [paper] footprints in the SUB and have students write the name of someone they know who has had cancer, then put it up on the wall,” Young said.
Pam Whitnell, Communication Arts secretary, said large purple cups have been placed all over campus to collect loose change. Five cups have been turned in, with more than $150 raised.
Union’s Relay for Life team also will host a 5K, a casual day and a footprint fundraiser. Dates and locations have not yet been decided.
Young said she became actively involved with Relay for Life after her father’s death. He had colon cancer.
Whitnell added her passion for cancer awareness has come from her friends. She said she hopes everyone takes every precaution they can to make sure they keep their bodies healthy.
Fink said her thoughts on cancer have changed and she has a new perspective about cancer since she was diagnosed.
“Experiencing cancer firsthand has been an eye opener about what side effects and hardships cancer patients battle,” Fink said. “I wear headscarves to cover my hair loss.
“Strangers have approached me to compliment my scarves and encourage me, telling me that they are cancer survivors. These brave conquerors form a strong community of support for others who have battled or are battling cancer.”
Fink said she is excited to return to Union in the fall of 2013 and that returning is the light at the end of her tunnel.
“We would love to see more students involved in the Relay for Life Team here at Union,” Whitnell said. “We have around 15 people right now, and we would love to get even more. It is a great cause. What do you have to lose?”
