Students from Dr. Jonathan Cornett’s cancer biology class with members of the Lee community and Michaela Mackie’s family to participate in “Sewing Seeds of Hope
Lee’s Dr. Jonathan Cornett, along with his cancer biology class, hosted a service event, “Sewing Seeds of Hope” where students made hats and scarves to donate to local cancer patients.
Dr. Cornett’s students welcomed to the event all Lee students, faculty, and staff who wanted to create an item. Donations were used to purchase materials, and the remaining donations were given to the American Cancer Society Bradley County Relay For Life fundraiser.
“Most of my cancer biology students plan to pursue various careers in health care after Lee,” said Dr. Cornett, associate professor of biology. “This semester, our class has been learning about the biology of cancer together, and we wanted to do something to make a difference in the lives of those affected.”
Dr. Cornett’s students, along with participants from the Lee community, ultimately made 71 items to donate.
“After walking through cancer beside my sister and learning about oncology in a medical sense, I feel passionately about the power of small acts of encouragement and care, as well as the importance of funding research,” said Michaela Mackie, a senior double major in biology with a pre-physician's assistant emphasis and disaster and healthcare mission management. “Many others in the class have had similar experiences with cancer, and this project is an embodiment of that newfound understanding.”
The American Cancer Society Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest peer-to-peer fundraising event dedicated to saving lives from cancer. For over 35 years, communities across the world have come together to honor and remember loved ones and take action for lifesaving change. Funds raised through Relay For Life directly support breakthrough research, 24/7 support for cancer patients, access to lifesaving screenings, and much more.
For more information about “Sewing Seeds of Hope,” contact Dr. Cornett at jonathancornett@leeuniversity.edu.
The students continue to encourage donations to Relay For Life. To donate or for more information, visit https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/relay-for-life.html.
Lee senior Nathan Melton, right, making scarves with Michaela Mackie’s sister, Kaydn, a local high school student and cancer survivor