Students at Kean University have come together to create an amazing organization that not only gives them something to be proud of but gives back to the community in an amazing way. Friends for Children with Cancer (FFCWC) is an organization at Kean that is open to all students, any grade and any major. A chance for any student to get involved on campus and become a part of something far greater than they could have expected.
FFCWC’s mission is to maintain an organization where it is all about kids with cancer. The organization hosts events and fundraisers to educate, support and create impact in the lives of children battling cancer. Students can find the group on Cougar Link under organizations or one can follow their Instagram @ffcwc.kean.
President Melanie Diniz and secretary Prachi Patel (who will be vice president starting this fall 2021), explained, “This organization started in the 2021 fall semester. When Love Your Melon ended due to covid, the E-board and rest of the members had a great idea to start a new club for the same cause.”
Professor Norma Bowe Ph.D., is the advisor of this group, her office is located in Hennings Hall 411 and she can be contacted at nbowe@kean.edu or by phone at (908) 737-3825. Mealnie Diniz, a senior and a speech language pathology major is the Founding President of FFCWC. Founding Vice President is Kaila Velez, senior, majoring in elementary education with a concentration in English.
On their Instagram, President Diaz said, “FFCWC is important to me because it is so rewarding to help children with cancer by simply helping their families financially and by just interacting with the kids and putting a smile on their faces.”
Having only started last semester, FFCWC already has fifty-six members. The organization held an induction ceremony inducting their founding members and all of their new members. The founding members include:
Melanie Diniz (President)
Kaila Velez (Vice President)
Prachi Patel (Secretary)
Robert Cosme (Secretary)
Roshorn Shivers Jr.(Treasurer)
Natalia Munoz (Public Relations)
Diniz and Patel said, “We support the Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside by attending KDM and doing events throughout the semester to raise money. We also partnered with The Andrew McDonough B+ foundation, an organization that raises money for families of children who are battling cancer.”
If students have any questions or want more information, FFCWC can be contacted at ffcwc2020@gmail.com or by phone at (908) 380-8411.
Think about becoming a friend today!
