My name is Trey Lamkins, and I am a Junior here at the University, in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources majoring in Plant and Landscape Systems (Horticulture). I am writing to extend an invitation to you to share and attend an event I am organizing for the Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement office on campus.
The event, titled "Husker Cancer Support," aims to provide a platform for students, faculty, and staff to come together to acknowledge the impact of cancer within our community. This year will be the second time this event has occurred, last year being the first. Husker Cancer Support will feature guest speaker(s), an activity, and the opportunity for small group discussions centered around the theme "Huskers TACKLE cancer with Trust, Action, Confidence, Knowledge, Love & Empathy." Our goal is to foster transparency surrounding cancer-related topics on campus and in our broader communities.
The inspiration behind my passion for this event stems from personal experience. My mother, who courageously battled lung cancer, instilled in me the values of empathy and compassion, teaching me to stand up for the underdog and to find strength in the face of adversity. She was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer during my senior year of high school in September of 2020. Tragically, she passed away 6 months ago, on August 16, 2023, just five days before the beginning of the fall semester. Her passing, though heartbreaking, ignited within me a fierce determination to honor her memory and make a difference in the lives of others.
After taking time to grieve and reflect, I am more convinced than ever of the significance of this event. In fact, I recently coined the acronym "TACKLE" to encapsulate our mission of this event. I believe there is an undeniable need for transparency and dialogue surrounding cancer on our campus, and the "Husker Cancer Support" event should TACKLE this need.
Given your experience and influence within your department and program on campus, I believe that sharing this event with your students, faculty, and staff would help us reach a wider audience. Your support in spreading the word about this event would be invaluable in ensuring a meaningful dialogue within our university community.
Event details:
Date: Friday, April 26th, 2024
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Prairie Suite - Nebraska East Union, Lincoln, NE
Link: https://events.unl.edu/2024/04/26/179206/
More details at: https://tlamkins3@unl.edu