CARE (Cancer Awareness, Research and Empowerment) club was founded to help raise awareness about childhood cancer and support kids going through treatment.
For Ayaan Alinani, launching the CARE club was personal. “I lost a close family member to cancer, and that experience really opened my eyes to how hard the journey can be,” Alinani said.
In the spring, Alinani and co-lead Alina Ambewadikar began collecting the signatures needed to start a new club at Sickles. They gathered over 80 signatures and built a strong member base.
In the club’s first few months, CARE fundraised over $500 and used it to create more than 50 care packages for young boys and girls, in partnership with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “With help from our school and a grant we received through a nonprofit, we were able to include items that bring comfort and encouragement,” Alinani said.
In June, Alinani and Ambewadikar made a second care package delivery to Tampa General Hospital. “It was incredibly meaningful to actually be there and see how something as simple as a package filled with comfort items could brighten someone’s day,” Alinani said. “It reminded us why we started this project in the first place—it was powerful to see our efforts make an impact in real time.”
With a new school year around the corner, Alinani and Ambewadikar hope to expand CARE’s reach. “We’re hoping to grow even more during the club fair at the start of the next school year and expand our efforts with more volunteer events and awareness projects,” Alinani said.
He added that the group is always looking for new members and support. “Students can get involved by donating items for our drives or by applying to officially join the club through our application process at the beginning of the school year. They can also reach out to us if they’re interested in helping start an initiative of their own or collaborating on a project.”
Sickles CARE club can use the support of the community as well. “Right now, the best way for community members to support us is by helping spread the word and reaching out through our Instagram page, @careforsickles,” Alinani said. “We welcome donations of items for future care packages, and we’re always open to partnerships, support or ideas from anyone who wants to get involved. Feel free to DM us there—we’d love to connect!”
In just a few short months, what began as a personal mission has grown into so much more, and Alinani and Ambewadikar are looking forward to expanding CARE’s impact. “Alina and I wanted to create something meaningful at our school that raises awareness about cancer and supports people going through treatment,” Alinani said. “Through CARE, we hope to make a real difference while inspiring others at Sickles and in the surrounding community to take action, too.”
Recommended Donation Items
- Books
- Notebooks
- Stuffed animals (new)
- Drawing utensils
- Puzzles
- Card games
- Arts and crafts supplies