San Ramon High School Students Honor Lives Impacted by Cancer with Hopeful, Powerful Tribute
San Ramon, Calif. – Students from Dougherty Valley High School gathered at the Six Pillars Park this evening to honor lives affected by cancer and to remind lawmakers on the importance of ensuring the fight against cancer remains a top priority.
Bags decorated with the names of those who’ve fought cancer were lit as a student acapella group sang. A couple of students shared their experience with cancer and highlighted the critical role the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) -- the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate -- plays in reducing the cancer burden.
“Even though you can’t change the world, you can create an impact in your community,” said 12th grade student and ACS CAN volunteer Isha Sarkar. “Throughout the pandemic, cancer hasn’t stopped and neither have we. We’re still here advocating for cancer patients and survivors, for cancer research funds and access to health care.”
As a result of cancer patients’ increased vulnerability to the coronavirus, ACS CAN volunteers didn’t travel for the annual Lights of Hope ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., where tens of thousands of bags are displayed to honor cancer survivors and those lost to this horrible disease. Instead, cancer advocates brought hope home to San Ramon.
“Advocacy is not just about hearing the perspective of others but being the voices for the unheard. Cancer is a disease that takes millions, so joining ACS CAN and being part of Lights of Hope creates an environment to honor individuals who have lost so much,” said 12th grade student and ACS CAN volunteer Aarya Ghosalkar. “It’s simply an honor to be part of the ACS CAN community.”
This year marks ACS CAN’s 20th anniversary, and the organization is as determined as ever to ensure cancer remains a top priority for policymakers at every level of government by empowering volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence public policy change that saves lives in California and nationwide.
To make donations to the student Lights of Hope fundraising project, visit: https://bit.ly/2X2GJFm.
For more information about Lights of Hope, visit FightCancer.org/LightsofHope.
