During the otherwise bleak month of February, the annual Campuses Against Cancer Rose Sale is always a bright spot. The Nobles community will have the chance to send a sweet-smelling reminder of friendship, appreciation (or even a secret crush!), knowing proceeds will benefit a cancer charity carefully chosen by Nobles’ chapter of CAC.
This year, CAC has added a rose category to honor beloved math faculty member and Nobles treasure Bill Kehlenbeck, who is battling cancer. Each purchase of a Kehlenbeck rose results in a monetary donation to Dana Farber in his name, where he is receiving treatment.
The main beneficiary of this year’s fundraiser is Lucy’s Love Bus. Lucy Grogan, who was diagnosed with leukemia at age 8, started the organization at age 11 “to improve the quality of life for children going through treatment for cancer and life-threatening illnesses, support their families and mobilize the next generation of cancer activists.” Although Lucy passed away at age 12, her Love Bus continues to fund free integrative therapies for children in treatment, ranging from horseback riding to reiki, and aerial yoga to swimming and acupuncture.
During the assembly announcement about the sale, CAC leader and cancer survivor Sammi Janower ’19 recalled how she coped with treatment as a child, by painting Tinkerbell on her hospital room windows. “Part of the proceeds from our rose sale will go to Lucy’s Love Bus, so we can send these kids free therapies, and the rest will go to other organizations who benefit people going through these problems every single day—so when you get that link to order a rose, buy that extra rose! Get one for your secret crush…or send one to me! Those extra dollars will go a long way.”