Our mission is to empower, encourage, and inspire
the generation that ends cancer.
The 2022-2023 school year felt like a welcomed return to “normal” in the classroom and in the community. Our twelve SMAC chapters rediscovered their footing as change-makers in the fight against cancer, and as always, we are awed and inspired by the creativity and care of these student leaders. Their perseverance is truly unmatched; we’re thrilled to share highlights of their accomplishments from the year!
SMAC's Impact
The SMAC network extended its reach this year. Here is a snapshot of how our students made a difference:
725+ SMAC students from 12 high schools and colleges across New Jersey and Pennsylvania
$145,000+ raised for cancer causes, including:
Emmanuel Cancer Foundation
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
American Cancer Society
Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
National Breast Cancer Foundation
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Cheers for Emily
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation
3100+ acts of volunteerism, including:
Collected personal care items for teenage cancer patients
Collected holiday gifts and winter clothes for St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Collected and delivered food to the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation’s food pantry
Assisted with a Tricky Tray fundraiser sponsored by the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation
Developed poster series and social media campaigns with cancer prevention tips
Designed get well cards for cancer patients
Facilitated a cancer education workshop and craft project with local middle school students
SMAC’s 1st Signature Event
On May 13, SMAC raised $4100+ for the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation at our organization’s first-ever signature event, Movers, Shakers, Change Makers. With “movement” at its core, Movers, Shakers, Change Makers invited students from across the SMAC network to be swept up by fun, physical activities that kept them moving throughout the evening. The fundraiser, hosted by Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, featured a DJ dance party, facilitated fitness experiences, friendly games and competitions, wellness education, and a chance for student leaders to meet and mingle.
SMAC students from 6 high schools joined in on the celebration! Check out a photo slideshow from this year’s event:
We aim to make Movers, Shakers, Change Makers an annual fundraising event! Keep an eye on our Events page for full details of future offerings and ways to help.
Cancer Fighter Scholarship Recipients
We are excited to announce the recipients of our third annual Cancer Fighter Scholarship, honoring nine graduating high school seniors who have been leaders in the fight against cancer. SMAC received scholarship applications from across the nation, and selected the following winners:
Parker Demmler Marlton, NJ | Evelyn Gardner Buffalo, NY | Paige Hackett Andover, MA |
Samantha Holt West Memphis, AR | Meredith Kenoff Scotch Plains, NJ | Allen Nicolas Garden City, GA |
Addy Ruiz Pensacola, FL | Raina Sinha Strongsville, OH | Abigail Tatum McDonough, GA |
Several of our scholarship recipients survived their own battles with cancer and went on to become leaders in their communities. Others supported friends and family members during the course of their disease. All of these students amassed impressive records of achievement in and out of the classroom. We are humbled by their accomplishments!
Thank you, again, for your continued support of SMAC!