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High Schools

High school students like you are the next generation of fundraisers. Ready to make a difference?

Rally your school to make a difference! Students, from elementary school through college, can get involved in the mission to end cancer. 

Register your student or school
Register your student or school
A large group of people, including teachers in pink shirts, stand together on a football field, holding a large check, with autumn trees in the background.

“Cancer is a scary word. Schools Against Cancer gives children a feeling that they can do something to help their loved ones fight cancer.”

Joanne Lombardo

School Counselor

A smiling woman in a black cape holds up a cut ponytail of her hair in a gym, bravely going bald for a hair donation event. Another person stands behind her, holding scissors.
A large group of students wearing matching blue shirts sit in bleachers at a gymnasium, many with hands raised and smiling, appearing engaged and enthusiastic—showing the impact of where the funds go. The background includes a red and white wall.
A large group of students in matching green shirts pose outside Starpoint High School, holding a "Locked In to Lock Out Cancer" banner for a 2023 cancer fundraising event, with sponsor logos. The school building stands in the background under a clear blue sky.

How it works

Through Schools Against Cancer, you can get involved in the mission to end cancer in a way that makes sense for you.

We know not every classroom or student is the same, and that’s why Schools Against Cancer changemakers are encouraged to find the fundraiser that best aligns with your interests, availability and commitment. Gain responsibility and leadership skills, add phenomenal experience to your college applications and … of course … feel GOOD about the impact you’re making.

A group of smiling young women, some of whom are parents, wear “Together We Fight” shirts and hold pink pom-poms as they pose indoors at an event. Some sport glasses or beanies, and two flash peace signs with their fingers.

Why Schools Against Cancer?

With Schools Against Cancer, students can turn their passions into a purpose and make what matters to them, matter for a cause. 

Here are just a few of the benefits:

Cancer impacts everyone

Rally your family, friends and loved ones to stand up to cancer while honoring those in your life who have been affected.

Your passion

Share your passions and hobbies with friends, while making incredible memories and doing something impactful for your community.

Community service

Need community service credits? Schools Against Cancer is a fun and easy way to grow your resume or earn volunteer experience.

Check out these ideas for middle schools to get started

Athletic Game

Root for the home team while fundraising for a great cause! Sell tickets for a game against your school rival and host a concession stand where proceeds go to Roswell Park. Have your team dress in a cancer color, such as a pink game for breast cancer awareness or a gold game for pediatric cancer awareness. Add a bake sale or t-shirt sale to increase fundraising!

A boys' soccer team and coaches pose on a field, wearing pink shirts with black ribbons to support mental-health awareness. Two people in front hold a large donation check. Trees and houses are visible in the background.
2

Spirit Day

Take your Spirit Day or week to the next level by fundraising for Roswell Park. There are countless ways to make your spirit week count in the fight to end cancer, from themed days to fun activities and everything in between.

A large crowd of enthusiastic students and sports fans, many with faces and bodies painted black, cheer behind a fence. Some wave maroon and gold flags, and a person in the front wears a yellow foam hat shaped like cheese.
3

Jar Wars

Jar Wars is a coin collection with a friendly sabotage twist! Schools Against Cancer will recognize the school that raises the most at the end of the competition! The top fundraising school will receive a mini blue buffalo statue, certificate, a ceremonial check presentation and other recognition!

Gold text reads “Schools Against Cancer Presents: Jar Wars,” with a stack of gold coins underneath, inviting parents to join the cause. A bold banner below states “February 2025” in black and white.
4

Bald for Bucks

Sign up to shave, cut or style your hair while fundraising for a great cause. Event logistics are up to you! Choose the date, time, location in the school and how you want to promote the event, and we’ll help along the way.

Learn more
A man with a shaved head holds a Bald For Bucks after sign

Your child will develop these skills as a Schools Against Cancer changemaker:

Leadership

Compassion

Fundraising

Event coordination

Public speaking

Networking

Community-building

Teamwork

A group of students stand on a sandy lakeshore holding a yellow “World Cleanup Day” banner, raising litter pickers and hands, with an event sign nearby. The background shows water, trees, and a blue sky with clouds.
The image is a plain light gray background, as smooth and featureless as a bald surface, with no visible objects, text, or distinct features.

Your school can be a part of something bigger

It’s a cause that hits home for nearly everyone, regardless of age. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the state and in the nation. The efforts of the young people in your school will fuel lifesaving treatments and innovative cancer research, benefiting patients right here in Western New York at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Learn more

Have a fundraising idea?

If you’re trying to pitch the experience to your school, here are some helpful links to point you in the right direction.

Learn about what Schools Against Cancer is, the mission, vision and more.

Show your school leaders how this program makes a real difference for the cancer patients of today and tomorrow.

Curious what other schools have done? Check out our blog for inspiring stories and creative examples.

Contact us!

Not sure where to start? Our team is here to help!

Contact Allison for guidance on becoming a Changemaker.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a maroon jacket over a yellow floral top and drop earrings, smiles at the camera. She has an elementary school name tag pinned to her jacket and stands in an indoor setting with blurred greenery behind her.