For a Cause: CU Students Stand Against Cancer

Concord University students have proven time and time again that they are some of the most philanthropic young men and women around. In recent weeks, however, they have risen far above and beyond the call of duty. With three money drives, Concord University students have once again proved that they are generous and caring beyond what is normally to be expected from charitable and generous people.

Last Saturday, on April 5, after a doubleheader with Charleston, the Concord University baseball team shaved their heads to raise awareness and money for cancer awareness. The game in question was Concord’s versus cancer game, and before the game had even began, the Mountain Lions had already managed to raise approximately $4,425 and managed to raise another $100 dollars from those that attended the game. Afterward, the team went to the Princeton Barber Shop to get their heads shaved, and others were invited to do the same. However, more charity work was to come. 

Orlando Gray is a Concord University student that wanted to do something to help a young local boy in need of a bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow transplants are one of the many ways that certain cancers may be treated. Bone marrow transplants are one way to restore working stem cells into a sufferer’s body after being exposed to high dosages of chemotherapy or radiation, according to cancer.gov. Stem cells can grow into any other kind of cell, but the stem cells that this group are after, the hematopoietic stem cells, according to cancer.gov, “[…]divide to form more blood-forming stem cells, or they mature into one of three types of blood cells: white blood cells, which fight infection; red blood cells, which carry oxygen; and platelets, which help the blood to clot.”

The group called The National Marrow Donor Program operates a charity known as Be A Match, which is an organization with the express intent of finding those with matching bone marrow to the patients that absolutely need it the most. To that end, Gray decided to help Daniel by getting as many people to register in an event known as Daniel’s Day. Daniel’s Day took place on Tuesday, April 7, from 10:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M. Those that attended filled out forms and had cotton swabbed in their mouths to see if they were a genetic match for not only Daniel, but for anyone else that possibly could use help. One cannot help but be proud of a Concord University student for taking initiative for such a thing. However, the good feelings and nice intentions didn't stop there. 

The road to a college degree is rarely an easy  one. A great many obstacles can be placed in one’s path, and it takes real tenacity to stick it out to the end. This is what makes the story of Pamela Payne all the more tragic and desperate. 

Pamela Payne, in the black sweatshirt, balances motherhood with college studies, and now bravely faces breast cancer. 
Photo courtesy of youcaring.com

Payne, a senior at Concord University, is what the Administration calls a nontraditional student. This simply means that she waited a while after high school before pursuing her degree. She is a single mother of five, with two children still living at home. She has lost both her mother and her brother. She is slated to graduate this May. 

She also has breast cancer. A double mastectomy has proven effective in treatment and she is about to undergo more treatment. Her friends on campus have started an event for her both online and on campus to help raise money to pay or her medical expenses. Jars are posted all through the Student Center and in the Dining Hall, and have raised about $510 thus far. Everyone is encouraged assist in any way they can, and those wishing to do so can donate money at the jars previously mentioned or donate online at http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/pam-s-sunshine/325785. 

Pamela's children pose happily for a photograph. It is often those closest to us that provide the most comfort in times of trial. 
Photo courtesy of youcaring.com