When Mary Cozad went in for a routine check up 14 years ago, her nurse mentioned that Cozad hadn’t gotten a mammogram in awhile.

The nurse scheduled an appointment for Cozad, who wasn’t concerned; no one in her family had cancer.

But after having a mammogram and surgical biopsy, Cozad’s doctor confirmed she had stage two breast cancer.

“When I found out it was cancer, I sort of felt as though somebody had punched me in the stomach,” Cozad, assistant professor of foreign language and literature, said. “It was just really, really a shock. I was worried a little bit before treatment started, but then I just started thinking I’m going to really, really fight this. It was some kind of survival instinct that kicked in.”

Being a breast cancer survivor inspired Cozad to start a Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) chapter at NIU 10 years ago. CAC is part of a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer. Some of the NIU students involved in the organization aren’t cancer survivors, but they say cancer still had a major impact on their lives.

CAC member and graduate accounting major Ashley Wittemeyer was 8 when her parents told her that her mom had cervical cancer.

“Being that young, I didn’t quite understand, but it was the first and only time I think I’ve ever seen my dad cry,” she said. “At the time, I didn’t really understand the consequences of what cancer might mean, but just seeing the gravity of the situation was scary.”

Wittemeyer’s mom recovered after doctors removed half of her cervix, but years later Wittemeyer once again watched a family member battle cancer; her grandma was diagnosed with two rare blood cancers when Wittemeyer was in high school. She underwent chemotherapy, but died at 61.

“My grandma was a really strong person, and to see her in that vulnerable state was really sad,” Wittemeyer said. “She was a tough lady, so you can see how it really takes away from somebody who they are.”

Lisa Mayes, CAC co-chair and senior rehabilitation services major, had some relatives die from cancer, but it wasn’t until her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last year that it really started to affect the student.

She said her mom is doing great now, but it was difficult for Mayes when her mom underwent chemotherapy and radiation. She would try to commute three hours to her family home in Springfield as much as she could, but Mayes wishes she could have been there more.

“It was definitely hard being away from my family,” Mayes said. “My mom would tell me what was happening, but it was really hard because you can’t do anything physically for that person. You can be there for them mentally and support them as much as you can, which is what I did. It takes a toll on you. You just kind of have to let it out some way. During that time I just really cried a lot. It was really stressful, having to see my mom go through that.”

Watching people you love battle cancer makes you feel helpless, Mayes said. That’s one of the reasons why she joined Colleges Against Cancer: Because she thinks participating in fundraising events like Relay for Life makes a difference.

“Anyone that’s ever had a family member or a friend battle cancer, it kind of takes a part of you,” Mayes said. “It just has made me appreciate life more. Life’s really short and you want to honor the people that are here, but you also want remember the people we’ve lost to cancer and Relay for Life is a great way to do that.”