Fighting cancer, finding hope

To Katy Agule '09, a recipient of the 2008 American Cancer Society's Excellence in Advocacy Award, raising awareness about the threats of cancer is much more valuable than any sum of money raised. When asked how much money she has raised for the American Cancer Society thus far, Agule said she didn't even know. Since 2007, Agule has been raising money for cancer awareness through various fundraisers, most significantly Relay for Life.

"The more people that quit smoking because we're outside handing them quitkits or giving them the information about the dangers of smoking, that's for me the most important part," Agule said.

This past November, Agule, along with 11 other volunteers, received the New England Division 2008 Excellence in Advocacy Award for their active dedication to the American Cancer Society and its missions, which according to the organization's press release are to increase cancer awareness "through state legislative initiatives and campaigns." Her understanding of the importance of activism and advocacy earned her the award.

When asked if she knew she would receive the award, Agule said, "I had no idea. I was very surprised."

Agule initially planned on attending veterinary school after Brandeis, but she is now considering law school instead. Her career plans took a turn after her first American Cancer Society divisional summit in November 2007. Agule, who has dark hair, a confident stare and a professional demeanor,attended this summit in preparation for the first annual Relay for Life at Brandeis. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee, of which she is co-president, organized the relay.

Although Agule initially went to the summit because of her involvement with the SACC, she said she was "very touched" by the summit and subsequently became heavily involved in Relay for Life.

This year marks the American Cancer Society Relay for Life's 25th anniversary, 25 Years of Hope. Relay for Life is an all-night fundraiser in which sponsors donate for each lap completed by teams of runners and walkers with the first lap performed by cancer survivors. Relay for Life is dedicated to those battling cancer, those who beat cancer and those who were lost to cancer.

After her first Relay for Life ended, Agule's interest in cancer advocacy grew stronger. She helped create the Brandeis club Colleges Against Cancer, whose mission is to "develop early detection programs and raise awareness on campus all year long," she said.

CAC planned an event for the Fight Back Express, a bus that traveled across the entire country to raise money for the American Cancer Society and their partner organization, the ACS Cancer Action Network. Agule also accepted the position of training chair for the American Cancer Society's National Leadership Team last year. She has since worked with a handful of ACS volunteers around the country.

This past summer, Agule interned at the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network in Washington D.C., where she learned about the power of lobbying and advocacy. "It's amazing how much effect one person or one group of people can have within the setting of Congress," Agule said. "If enough people say something, representatives will say, 'Yeah, I'll support that.'"

Political advocacy "is one of the most important tools [in cancer prevention] because through legislation, you can affect countless numbers of citizens."

Agule's work with the ACS Cancer Action Network motivated her to pursue a career in health policy. She recently changed her her minor in Health: Science, Society and Policy to a major and has declared a Psychology major as well.

Interning in Washington D.C., Agule realized that she "really enjoyed health/policy" and hopes to work for a nonprofit similar to the ACS Cancer Action Network after college. "Volunteer work has helped my professional path immensely," she said.

"Katy is very driven," said Nadine Channaoui '10, a co-founder of Colleges Against Cancer. "Once she got hooked [on raising cancer awareness], she was just 110 percent helpful to achieve the American Cancer Society's mission."

After returning to Brandeis in the fall, Agule began to think of different events to increase cancer awareness on campus.

This semester, Agule and Colleges Against Cancer have participated in several events, including a bake sale in which they raised over $300. CAC also visited the Hope Lodge in Jamaica Plains, where cancer patients and their caregivers can stay for free if they live a certain distance from a hospital. Agule describes the Hope Lodge as "a great resource for cancer patients who need to go somewhere in order to get the lifesaving treatment they need."

As for the future, Agule has planned "Paint the Campus Purple Week" with other members of Colleges Against Cancer. The week, designed to raise interest in fighting cancer on campus, will take place between February 23 and 27.

Agule has also planned a quarter drive to raise funds for CAC's biggest event of the year, Relay for Life. Agule predicts that students, faculty, and staff could donate over $15,000; the quarters donated could wrap around the track eight times, Agule says. .

Although Agule has never experienced personal tragedy at the hand of cancer, she realizes how quickly that could change.

"Cancer doesn't discriminate. It will affect you in some way or another, no matter your gender, race or social status," she said. "I want to try to protect my future and my loved ones' futures, and advocacy is the best way to do that.