According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths occurred globally in 2022. These numbers are expected to increase in the coming decades, increasing the need for resources to be allocated to cancer research and support.
Worldwide, organizations such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) work to promote collaboration in cancer research and raise awareness about the causes and consequences of the disease. More locally, McGill faculty members also conduct basic and translational research in cancer at the Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology. Alongside these groups, the McGill Students’ Cancer Society (MSCS) is a student-led organization on campus dedicated to making a difference for Canadians whose lives have been touched by cancer, working in close partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society. The organization is committed to organizing fundraisers throughout the year to raise money to help fund cancer research and patient support initiatives.
Initially, the club was created to offer help and assistance to cancer patients and survivors across Canada through fundraisers—which remains the essence of MSCS today. For many club members, joining MSCS was motivated by witnessing a loved one’s battle with the illness. According to Mayumi Wong, one of the three Co-Presidents of MSCS, the role of the club—beyond raising money—is to create a supportive and safe space for anyone affected by cancer in one way or another.
“I initially joined MSCS back in 2021 as I wanted to support this very important cause, since I had witnessed some members in my family fight this disease,” she wrote in a statement to The Tribune. “[Our main goal] is to create a space that allows individuals who have been touched by cancer or who want to support this important cause to come together.”
The club’s activity primarily relies on fundraising events organized throughout the year, notably their annual flagship event: Relay For Life. Every March, MSCS organizes a large fundraising event that brings together community members to celebrate advocacy for cancer research and support. The event is structured with booths, performances, and games that reinforce community ties and help raise money. Since its first Relay For Life in 2013, MSCS’ Relay for Life has raised $354,916 CAD. Wong wrote to The Tribune that this year’s event is on the right track to reach its aim.
“Our goal is to raise $45,000 [CAD] for the Canadian Cancer Society this year, and so far, we have already surpassed $38,000 [CAD]!”
The 2025 edition will take place on March 29 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Tomlinson Fieldhouse where therapy dogs, team games, and other activities can be expected, with food provided by MSCS. The walkathon is also an important feature of Relay For Life.
“Cancer doesn’t sleep, and neither do we—this is symbolized by our walkathon where team members take turns walking around the track all night long, to symbolize how our support for affected individuals is ongoing,” Wong wrote. “The walkathon is interspersed with exciting performances, activities, and moments to reflect for an overall unifying experience.”
Besides fundraising and donation-based initiatives, MSCS also hosts an annual cancer research panel for students known as “Cancers & Answers” where cancer researchers speak about their current research. Louis Ghaleb, an MSCS committee member and a Master’s student in cancer research mentioned state-of-the-art advancements in a written statement to The Tribune.
“Cancer research has come a long way in recent years. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, treatments are now becoming more personalized, designed to match the unique features of each person’s cancer,” he wrote. “New therapies can target the specific changes that make cancer grow or help the immune system fight it more effectively”
The McGill Students’ Cancer Society provides an avenue to be part of the progress toward a hopeful future while recognizing the suffering of those affected.
