Spreading Hope at UNI

Looking to get involved while making a difference at the same time? UNI’s Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) might be the perfect fit for you. CAC is a student organization that plans the annual Relay For Life event held on campus every spring.

2015 Relay For Life fundraising reveal

The Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) organization often asks its members the question “Why do you Relay?” If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been affected by cancer at some point in your life. Maybe your mom is a cancer survivor. Maybe your high school teacher, whom you had a close connection with lost their battle to cancer. Maybe your cousin, aunt, uncle, friend or neighbor fought this terrible disease. Perhaps, you haven’t been directly affected by this disease and you Relay to keep it that way. Maybe YOU are a cancer survivor, and want to spread hope to others that are suffering. Everyone has their own reason to Relay, but the CAC organization allows each member to come together because they share the same passion, to find a cure for cancer.

Luminaria bags are a way to honor and remember
our loved ones who have fought cancer.

“I got involved with Colleges Against Cancer because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help make an impact at UNI. I want to know that I am helping others and I am supporting a wonderful organization. Volunteering has made me an all-around better person. It has helped me step out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and change lives.” - Michaela Fay


“I got involved with Colleges Against Cancer because I wanted to be a part of an organization that was making a difference in so many people's lives. Colleges Against Cancer has helped me gain a lot a confidence and leadership abilities. This organization is a great way to get involved on campus and a good way to meet some truly amazing people!”
- Makayla Dobney


“I knew I wanted to get involved in student organizations right away in college, and Colleges Against Cancer seemed like such a positive thing to devote time and effort to. The dedication of the executives and my fellow committee members is really inspiring, and seeing our hard work have such an impact at Relay makes me so glad I do it.” -Jacquelyn Knustrom

Jacquelyn Knustrom cooking dinner for
patients and caregivers at Hope Lodge. 

“Cancer is an unforgiving disease that affects every single person whether it be directly or indirectly. The great thing about CAC is that the money we raise goes directly to making a difference in the lives of millions of people.” - Jordan Arp

All of the money raised at the Relay For Life is donated to the American Cancer Society and divided among four main areas. The money goes to program services including, cancer research, patient support, prevention information & education and detection & treatment. One of these program services funded by the American Cancer Society is the Hope Lodge, which offers a place where cancer patients and their caregivers can find help and hope when home is far away. There are currently 31 Hope Lodge locations throughout the United States, one very close to us in Iowa City.

Every year, many UNI Colleges Against Cancer committee members are given the opportunity to visit the Iowa City Hope Lodge. They not only get to see first-hand where part of their fundraising dollars are being donated, but also donate their time by making dinner and getting the opportunity to connect with these cancer patients and their caregivers.

How can you get involved? Sign up for one of the ten committees that plan the annual Relay For Life including, accounting, corporate sponsorship, entertainment, luminaria, fundraising, marketing, mission, social, survivor and caregiver engagement and team recruitment.

Colleges Against Cancer committee members
volunteering at Hope Lodge in Iowa City. 

So, why would you want to be apart of UNI’s Colleges Against Cancer? Yes, it’s great to add volunteer work to your resume, but more importantly you are making a difference in so many people’s lives. Wondering if your time and fundraising dollars are actually making a difference? I’m here to tell you YES. Since 1991, there has been a 22% decline in cancer death rate. That wouldn’t be possible without volunteers from the American Cancer Society.

Email RelayForLifeofUNI@uni.edu to learn about how to get involved! 

Volunteering: When helping others helps yourself

When college students hear the phrase, “the career fair is quickly approaching” it can be quite frightening. First you have to research the businesses you’d like to speak with. After that, you realize you left your only pair of dress pants at home. To top it all off, you haven’t updated your resume in quite some time.

The reality is you really need an internship this summer and maybe have even started looking into full-time job opportunities. As tempting as it may be, skipping the career fair simply isn’t an option.

It’s time to update your resume and make yourself stand apart. Yes, your GPA and job experiences will certainly impact the strength of your resume, but what else? Many students have overlapping GPAs and many have multiple internships and job experiences on their resume, so you wonder how you can make yourself stick out.

Volunteer. One simple word that can make you unique. Searching for the perfect career after college can be difficult because many jobs require x years of experience. I firmly believe in three main reasons why volunteering will expand the value of your resume.

Shows your passion

There’s a reason behind every volunteer experience. Chances are you are giving back to an organization that has had a personal impact on your life. With that being said, not everyone is able to give back and show their passion for organizations they support. Many people want to make a difference, but not everyone puts forth the effort to make a difference. Find your passion and move forward with it. 

Increases skill sets

Individuals tend to volunteer for organizations in which they can apply talents and skills they already possess. If you’re a graphic design major, you may donate your time back to a non-profit by assisting with their promotional materials. If you’re studying to become a special education teacher, you may donate your time back by volunteering with the Special Olympics. The opportunities are endless. Generally, people don’t realize they can actually make a difference and help others while doing things they're great at. In addition, people who volunteer also tend to adapt new skills and find talents they didn’t know they had.

Demonstrates motivation

Being motivated to make a difference means you’re going to be motivated in your career. Everyone wants to be motivated, but many people have a hard time getting there. By showing you consistently donate your time volunteering, you are proving to your employer that you will also be motivated in your profession.  

Volunteering may start with the idea of helping others, but before you know it you may end up helping yourself more than you ever imagined.