The Year in Review: 2023-2024

Our mission is to empower, encourage, and inspire the generation that ends cancer.

The SMAC network soared to new heights during the 2023-2024 school year. We embraced new chapters, launched innovative events, and saw our student engagement skyrocket! Our fifteen SMAC chapters are truly flourishing as champions in the fight against cancer. And as always, we are awed by the creativity and dedication of these remarkable student leaders. Their unwavering perseverance is unparalleled, and we are beyond excited to share the highlights of their extraordinary achievements from this school year!

SMAC's Impact

Here is a snapshot of how SMAC students made a difference:

• 700+ students from 15 high schools and colleges across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana participated in SMAC meetings and events

• $134,000+ raised for 23 cancer causes:
  

  • Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation

  • American Cancer Society

  • Cancer Schmancer

  • Comfort Project 360

  • Cookies for Kids Cancer

  • Inspiring Life Together

  • Emmanuel Cancer Foundation

  • Jam Kancer in the Kan

  • The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

  • Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation

  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

  • Movember Foundation

  • The National Breast Cancer Foundation

  • Overlook Medical Center

  • Pin Cancer

  • Ronald McDonald House

  • Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

  • St. Peter's Unversity Hospital

  • St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

  • Steeplechase Cancer Center

  • Susan G Komen

  • The Valerie Fund

• 6,000+ acts of volunteerism, including:

  • Collected personal care items for Comfort Project 360

  • Collected art supplies and comfort items for the Rutgers Cancer Center of New Jersey

  • Collected holiday gifts and gift cards for St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children

  • Collected and delivered food to the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation’s food pantry

  • Developed poster series and social media campaigns with cancer prevention tips
    

Movers, Shakers, Change Makers!

On May 11, SMAC raised $5900+ for Inspiring Life Together at our organization’s second annual 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.

We doubled our reach in 2024, hosting fundraisers at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, NJ and All Hallows High School in the Bronx, NY. Each event, thoughtfully planned by student coordinators, featured facilitated fitness experiences, friendly games and competitions, wellness education, and a chance for student leaders to meet and mingle. SMAC students from 4 high schools joined in on the celebration.

Our hardworking students secured business sponsorships from Aqua-Tots Swim School, Joint Motion Physical Therapy, Label, and Underground Utilities Corp. to maximize their fundraising power, and received donations from 25+ retailers to maximize the fun!

Enjoy our photo slideshow to see some event highlights:

Supporting our Leaders & Advisors

SMAC's central organization renewed our commitment to supporting cancer education and leadership development through our SMAC Talk series. Over the course of the 2023-2024 school year, SMAC leaders, members, and advisors, were encouraged to learn about nonprofit management, fundraising, and cancer care from individuals and organizations dedicated to cancer support. We partnered with another nonprofit, Kier's Kidz, to enhance our outreach and impact.

A special thanks goes to Sue Fastenau, Dr. Steve Ruffenach, Zach Spishock, and the following organizations for sharing their time and expertise with our students and advisors:

Camp Quality of New Jersey	Crossroads4Hope
Inspiring Life Together	The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Screen NJ	Sharsheret

We also wish to thank the student representatives who served on our National Student Advisory Board this year. These leaders took time out of their busy schedules to attend monthly meetings and act as liaisons to our national organization:

Michael G.	Eva S.	Sofia G.
John Paul D.	Olivia P.	Marissa C.
Kaj A.	Ardiv M.	Ricki B.
Jordana S.	Maia V.	Brianna R.
Olivia D.	Riley R.	Mateusz W.

2024 SMAC National Collegiate Scholar

We were thrilled to honor Ella Romano (University of Pittsburgh '27, Somerville High School '23) as the 2023-2024 SMAC National Collegiate Scholarship recipient. This award recognizes exceptional college students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and dedication through their involvement in SMAC. It celebrates the impactful contributions of students who have displayed unwavering commitment to the mission and goals of SMAC throughout their time in high school, investing their time, energy, and talents to make a meaningful difference even after graduation.

Thank you, again, for your continued support of SMAC!

Sneak a peek inside our org: