New club raises cancer awareness at Port Huron Northern
Two Port Huron Northern High School students have started a club to raise awareness for different types of cancer.
Senior Lily VanHowe and junior Sophie Harris are the co-presidents of Connecting with Cancer. Harris said her reason for wanting to start a club like this was inspired by some family members who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Since it was established this school year, the club has gained 22 active members.
"We wanted to do something for the community and show that there are so many people who face cancer or have loved ones that face it," Harris said. "Another reason for starting it was to make students aware of how they can support cancer awareness."
The club passes out pins, wears colors symbolizing different cancer awareness efforts, and hosts fundraisers.
On Oct. 18, the club held a fundraiser event where they sold apple cider and donuts with the goal to donate the money to a charity. The club raised over $300.
"We haven't picked out which charity to donate to yet, but we want to do something in town," VanHowe said. "We're going to have a meeting soon to decide where to donate."
The club plans to hold an event like this at least once a month. Since every month represents a different cancer awareness effort, the club plans to support that specific cause. For example, November is Lung and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
For November's fundraiser, VanHowe said the club plans to sell hot chocolate, coffee, and donuts. She said the club would also like to collaborate with other Port Huron Northern clubs for future donation efforts and fundraisers.
VanHowe and Harris said the club has received great support from their fellow students. They both said at least one new person attends every meeting the hold. They've also seen students around the halls still carrying cancer awareness pins that were handed out weeks prior.
Harris said it's special to see there are people at Northern who want to show their support and raise awareness.
"Every single event we're asked, 'How can I join this club?' or 'Can I still join?'" she said. "It's special to know that our school is supporting each other and we're all here to show that."
VanHowe said she feels that the club has helped to create a type of bond within Port Huron Northern. She said people have expressed genuine interest in the club and are happy to participate.
"I feel like our club has brought people together because we're all advocating and raising awareness for one cause," VanHowe said.
As for district support, the girls said it has been very supportive of the club. They said staff have been great with putting out announcements about the club. Harris said it makes a lot of things easier to know that Port Huron Northern and the school district have been so positive regarding the club.
"Having the school behind our backs and letting us do these fundraisers, announcements and just letting us do what we need to do to make sure our club achieves what it wants is honestly amazing," she said.
VanHowe said that all the administrator and teachers came to the club's fundraiser on Oct. 18, and the club was happy to see everyone supporting them.
Harris said she hopes the club will create a positive impact. She said the club's goal is to show people who are either facing cancer or know someone who is that the community is there to support and advocate for them.
Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com or (810) 292-0122.
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This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Port Huron Northern Connecting with Cancer club
