PACT initiates week of events to promote cancer awareness

Princeton Against Cancer Together is holding an inaugural cancer awareness week, April 1-5, to draw attention to cancer-related issues in the University community.

This week, PACT will remember cancer victims through vigils, sponsor lectures by oncologists and raise funds for cancer research — all in hope of encouraging campus discussion about the condition.

The awareness week will include a Blair Arch sing, a Prospect House dinner and panel discussion and a candlelight vigil among other events.

Friday will include the final and largest events of cancer awareness week. A speech by Nancy Healey — a local leader in breast cancer awareness — about her struggle with breast cancer and how she has given back will be followed by a performance by Leslie Nuchow. Nuchow is a musician and activist, who will speak about how she is fighting the tobacco industry through her music.

"We have worked really hard to bring together a wide range of events that combine science and the humanities," said Brittany Blockman '03, president and founder of PACT, in an e-mail. "The diverse perspectives that will be represented here this week are important.

"No event stands alone, and I want people to understand the connection between the human face and the laboratory. When you see someone up close suffer from cancer, you understand why all of these things — research, remembrance and reaching out — are important."

New Jersey ranks 15th in the nation in cancer mortality, according to the National Cancer Institute's website. Approximately 6,900 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and an estimated 4,500 people will die from lung and bronchus cancers.

PACT officers say cancer is a topic that is often neglected on the Princeton campus.

"I hope that this week will make people a little more knowledgeable about cancer and the future, help people who are directly affected by cancer and motivate people to take action against this disease," said Jessica Brondo '04, one of the four directors of PACT.

The organization is headed by four students whose own lives have been touched by cancer. Those students decided to take the initiative to increase discussion about the disease on campus by founding the group.

"I am passionate about cancer awareness because my mother's life was cut short due to this disease three years ago," Blockman said. "Cancer touches everyone in some way, yet it remains a lonely and alienating disease for the patient and the family. I want to change this by drawing people together around this topic and lessening the stigma attached to cancer."