News & Events

The University of Illinois Cancer Center hosted its annual Community Day for all students in summer cancer research programs on the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus. A mix of motivating presentations and outdoor activities, the day was a fun and educational break for students immersed in their respective summer programs.

The Cancer Center is hosting 54 students this summer in programs for high school and undergraduate students, medical students, and another program for undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students, who spend one day each week at UIC. 

During Community Day, students heard presentations from medical students in the Winn CIPP – Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program. The medical students shared their experiences on their journeys to get where they are now, motivating younger students to stay the course. The Cancer Center is among the sites hosting Winn CIPP students for a six-week summer service-learning externship in community-based clinical research sites. Winn CIPP is designed to expose students to clinical research, community engagement experiences, and leadership development. 

Summer students also heard from the Tatisa C. Joiner Foundation “Butterflies,” a group of women who authored The Breast Is Yet to Come: The Ultimate Testimony, who spoke about their respective breast cancer journeys. Students were able to hear firsthand the importance of cancer research and cancer care from the women.

Following the presentations, and after lunch, students then got to spend time outdoors touring the Cancer Center's giant inflatable colon "CECIL," playing super-sized Jenga and bean-bag toss games, and spinning a prize wheel.