Stand Up To Cancer is a national organization that helps raise money for cancer research. Students at the school decided to create a club of their own based off of the organization. The Stand Up To Cancer club enables members  to help those in the battle with cancer. Students are given the opportunity to work with the Children’s Medical Center and help kids suffering from this disease.

“We have monthly project meetings,” co-president Druv Patel said. “We make blankets, pillows, busy books, interactive toys and games for kids in local hospitals.”

Students can give back to their community and gain an opportunity to understand people coming from a less fortunate background by joining this club. It is a way for them to get involved and meet new people.

“I joined Stand Up to Cancer because I wanted to get more involved in not only my school but also my community,” junior Ana Ashrafi said. “There’s no better feeling than knowing that you’ll help children stand up to cancer.”

This club teaches the students values that they can carry with them throughout their life. For example, they learn to be selfless and put others before themselves at times.

“The students have to pay dues to be in the club, but it is not dues to receive a certificate of benefit other than knowing it all goes to helping the cause,” the club’s sponsor Maria Ortiz said. “Hopefully the lessons learned are selflessness, giving and working together to brighten up a kid’s day.”

Many students who join the club know or have known someone in their life who has passed away from cancer or is fighting the disease. This personal connection makes the club even more meaningful for these students, as it acts as a feasible way to contribute towards standing up to something that has directly affected them.

“I’ve had a family member who has fought cancer in the past,” co-president Devika Iyer said. “I wish that every patient experiencing the same battle gains support and encouragement from their community.”

Members of the club are given the opportunity to visit the children at the hospital and give them the projects that they have worked on.

“After we finish our projects, we go personally deliver them to the children in the hospital,” Ashrafi said. “Interacting with cancer patients and getting the chance to impact their lives, even though it’s on a small scale, is really amazing and a one-of-a-kind experience.”

This club is different from others. It is an experience where students can actually work together and create something that can help someone going through a difficult time feel better.

“We want people to experience a new side of volunteering through a club by being part of an interactive and enjoyable community where we can help out others,” Patel said. “Being able to see a product that you made end up in the arms of patients is really satisfying and heartwarming.”