Heads up smokers — Nov. 15 marks the American Cancer Society’s 37th annual Great American Smokeout. This day is dedicated to encourage smokers to quit smoking, even if it is for only a day. The RSO Colleges Against Cancer has participated in this annual event since it began in 2002 in hopes to help students at the University stop smoking.

CAC members will be on the Quad on Nov. 15 to raise lung cancer awareness for students at the University. At their table, they will have informational displays as well as hard candies, which include facts regarding smoking and are meant to serve as a substitute for cigarettes.

“We will have a jar of tar, as well as other educational materials for those who don’t want to smoke or who are trying to quit,” said Matt Cronin, vice president of CAC and junior in FAA.

Christina Small, CAC president and senior in LAS, is very passionate about the organization’s work and thinks it is truly making a difference to help raise awareness about the dangers of smoking — to the smoker and those around him.

“Very few people realize the dangers that are associated with secondhand smoke, and if we can only help a few people, then were accomplishing our goal,” Small said.

The RSO kicked off November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month this past Sunday with their first annual 5K race. With over 150 participants and $1,000 raised, the organization considered it a great success.

While their organization may be successful in educating students about lung cancer, they receive a great deal of grief from those who are unwilling to give up the habit.

“Smokers kind of hate us,” said Kaitlyn Kestel, CAC vice president and junior in AHS. The organization assisted in the new smoking ban that will take effect next fall at the University — a task in which they consider a great accomplishment for the University. The ban defines the University as a smoke-free campus, meaning smoking is not allowed on University property.

“We had the petition at our table last year and encouraged members of CAC to sign it,” Cronin said.

Although the RSO is aware of the controversial debate students may have in regards to smoking, they are often lighthearted about the situation in coming up with clever titles for slogans and shirts.

“Last year our shirts said ‘I put out’ on the front and ‘Cigarettes’ on the back,” Small said.

They also handed out stickers at the 5K race that said “Kiss me, I don’t Smoke.” The CAC hosts a variety of events in regards to different types of cancer, and they feel as if lung cancer can often be forgotten due to the fact it does not gain as much attention from the media or celebrities as other diseases might.

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States, according to the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, which is the reason November is dedicated to its prevention. Members of CAC find their RSO to be extremely rewarding.

“You get to work with amazing people, all working together for the same amazing cause,” Small said. Kestel agreed joining CAC was “the best decision of my college career,” she said.

For all the Illini looking to learn about lung cancer or to quit smoking, CAC members will on the Quad on Nov. 15 from around 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Great American Smokeout and are more than willing to help with any informational needs, Cronin said.

Christen can be reached at [email protected].