The Student News Publication of Warren Township High School

Scratch Paper
The Student News Publication of Warren Township High School

Scratch Paper
The Student News Publication of Warren Township High School

Scratch Paper

Cancer Kids First: Helping Others

Gautham Ashok
October 26, 2025
Cancer Kids First: Helping Others

Last school year a new club called Cancer Kids First popped up at our school. Cancer Kids First (CKF) is a youth-led nonprofit that supports children with cancer through various programs, such as making gift baskets, organizing events, or raising funds to fund research. Ashlyn Lee, a junior, has started her own chapter here, at Warren Township High School. Earlier, I sat down with her and asked her questions.

Question 1: What inspired you to get involved with Cancer Kids first; and what motivated you to start the chapter at our school?

Lee: I’ve always had a deep passion for medicine and helping others, so when I came across this non-profit while doing some research, I immediately knew it was something I wanted to be part of. What truly inspired me to start a chapter at Warren, however, was not only the connection to a family member who passed away from cancer, but also seeing friends and classmates whose loved ones are battling it. This motivated me to create a club that provides care and support for everyone affected by cancer. Since this non-profit specifically focuses on children, I felt it would deeply resonate with our students and inspire them to get involved in making a difference.

Question 2: For students who aren’t familiar, can you explain what Cancer Kids first does and what its mission is?

Lee: Cancer Kids First is the largest youth non-profit that has chapters all around the world and Warren is happy to be a chapter of this huge organization. Our mission is to spread awareness and provide comfort and support to pediatric cancer patients through many missions. These missions include: care packages, book drives, toy drives, donations, and much more. We aim to build a community of students who share a passion for making an impact and spreading hope to these courageous kids.

Question 3: What are some of the most memorable projects or events your club has done to support pediatric cancer patients?

Lee: Our two most memorable projects this year were the Yellow Ribbon Awareness Project and the Back-to-School Care Packages. During Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September, our club made yellow ribbons and handed them out to students at both campuses, encouraging everyone to wear them to support pediatric cancer patients. It was amazing to see so many students wearing the ribbons around school. We also made back-to-school care packages filled with coloring books, crayons, markers, fidget toys, and more for kids at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge. We successfully delivered them and the hospital greatly appreciated them and said they were a big hit, as the kids loved our packages!

Question 4: How do you and your team stay motivated when working on something that deals with such a heavy topic emotionally?

Lee: Even though pediatric cancer is a very emotional topic, we focus on how our efforts can bring comfort and support to these kids during tough times. While we can’t change what they’re going through, we can brighten their day through the projects we do. Everyone in this club is willing to put in the effort to make a difference, and I think we all love knowing that we’re helping making an impact and doing something special for these kids.
What impact do you hope your club has on the kids you help and on the students who participate at school?
For the kids we help, I hope they feel loved, supported, and reminded that people in their community truly care about them. I want them to know that even though they’re facing something so difficult, there are students out there who are thinking of them and cheering them on every step of the way. For the students at our school, I hope this shows how meaningful it can be to make an impact, even in small ways. Sometimes the simplest acts of kindness can bring the most comfort, and I think our club helps students see how their efforts, no matter how big or small, can truly make a difference in someone’s life.

Question 5: Has leading this club changed the way you view service, leadership, or future goals?

Lee: Most definitely! I think leading this club opened my perspective on such a meaningful cause and has inspired me to continue exploring oncology and the study of cancer in the future. Leading this club has also shown me just how much of a difference one person or a group of people can make. I see this experience not only as a chance to help others now, but also as a stepping stone toward the work I hope to pursue in the future, combining my passion for medicine with the desire to make an impact on people’s lives.

Question 6: If you could tell every student one thing about how they can make a difference, whether or not they join your club, what would it be?

Lee: I’d say that you don’t have to do something huge to make a difference. Even the smallest actions like writing a card, volunteering an hour, being kind to someone can mean more than you realize. Change starts with caring enough to do something or having a passion for something, so if you have a passion for something, I would take it and go forth with it and turn it into something meaningful and awesome!

About the Contributor
Gautham Ashok
Hi I’m Gautham! I am currently a junior. I joined scratch paper sophomore year and really enjoyed it. My hobbies are playing tennis, reading, volunteering, playing Roblox, and watching TV shows.