For more information on any of these activities or if you have new ideas, come to general body meeting or e-mail us at VandyCancerSociety@gmail.com!

Alex's Lemonade Stand

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is a unique foundation that has evolved from a young cancer patient's front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement for childhood cancer.  During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September), VCS sets up our own lemonade stand on the wall and offers refreshing drinks to Vanderbilt staff, faculty, and students.  In 2007, we raised $400 for the foundation in just 4 days and hope to top that amount next year!

For more information about the the foundation, click here!See the letter from Alex's parents for our 2007 involvement.

Binder Stuffing for the Ingram Cancer Center


Vandy Cancer Society volunteers at the Ingram Cancer Center about once every month. We stuff binders full of informational documents for Cancer patients and their families. These documents contain information about cancer in general and treatment available. 
Our next trip over to the Cancer Center will be Wednesday October 15th, 2008.
We are going to be meeting at 5:30 pm in the main lobby of Sarratt and walk over to the Ingram Cancer Center.
 
We should be out by 8:00 pm-8:30 pm latest. 

Commodores Against Cancer 5K 

This biennal race began in 2004 as a fundraiser for local cancer-related nonprofits.  Members of the Vanderbilt and Nashville communities register to walk/run a 5K around campus for one of the following organizations:

  • American Cancer Society, Nashville Office
  • Gilda's Club of Nashville
  • Ronald McDonald House 
  • Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center

Gilda's Club 

 Gilda's Club is a meeting place where men, women and children living with cancer, along with their families and friends, can join with others to build a personal network of social and emotional support as an integral part of cancer treatment.  VCS members raise money on behalf of Gilda's and volunteer at the organization's "Noogiefest," which is a day of fun for children affected by cancer.

For more information on Gilda's Club, click here!

Great American Smokeout

The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout is a nation-wide annual event held the Thursday before Thanksgiving.  Since the fall of 2000, VCS annually assembles over 500 smoking cessation packs and distributes them to Student Health, the Dyani Center, and Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff. 

For more information about the Smokeout, click here!

Hope Lodge Dinners

 Getting the right care sometimes means cancer patients must travel away from home, often to a cancer treatment facility in another city, which places even more of an emotional and financial burden during what is already a challenging time. The American Cancer Society is trying to make this difficult situation easier for cancer patients and their families through 22 Hope Lodges – free, temporary housing facilities for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment.

Every month, a group of VCS volunteers serve a delicious home-cooked meal for the Nashville Hope Lodge  residents.  It's a great opportunity for Vanderbilt students to step out of the Vandy-bubble and enjoy a meal with and share conversation with some amazing people.

For more information about Hope Lodge, click here!

Hope for the Holidays 

Spending the holidays in the hospital, without any of the comforts of home, makes a taxing situation even more difficult for cancer patients and their families.  The Hope Away From Home Christmas Tree Project to help make the holiday season a little brighter. Vanderbilt organizations sponsor miniature Christmas trees for a small donation and cards are given to the patients who receive the tree.  VCS coordinates the fundraising, decorates the trees, and delivers them to oncology patients at Vanderbilt’s Hospital.

Check out the pictures from last year's event: Hope for the Holidays 

Marrowthon 

The Bone Marrow Donor Registration Drive (aka Marrowthon) is an event that allows members of the Vanderbilt community to place themselves on the National Bone Marrow Registry.  For people already on the registry, we also coordinate a blood drive through Blood Assurance.

For more information on Marrowthon, click here!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a noncompetitive walk to help fight breast cancer and provide hope to people facing the disease.  VCS members raised money for the event and participated in the walk as a team.

For more information on Making Strides, click here!

Relay For Life 

Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society's signature event, is a fun-filled overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. Relay participants help raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue.

In 2003 and 2004, VCS sponsored Relay For Life at Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, leading organizations and groups of students in raising over $40,000 for cancer research, advocacy, and education in its first year alone.   Although it no longer sponsors a separate Relay at Vanderbilt, VCS members support and are involved in the planning of the Nashville Collegiate Relay For Life.

For more information on how you can get involved with Relay For Life, click here! 

Safe Spring Break 

Collaborating with the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention, VCS helps assemble and distribute packets as part of Safe Spring Break Week.   VCS provides sunscreen packets and  tips on how to protect yourself from the sun and skin cancer.

For more information on Safe Spring Break, click here!

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

VCS members volunteered for the set-up at the Komen Race for the Cure and participated in the walk as a team.  For more information on Susan G. Komen for the Cure, click here!

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men between the ages of 15 and 34.  During Testicular Cancer Awareness Week, VCS distributes self-exam shower cards and literature as well as light-hearted promotional materials that will encourage all male students to "Test their Testes."