Personal experience drives young fund raiser

It was a request from a teacher that caused 17-year-old Alora Collier to do something she said will stay with her for the rest of her life.

Collier is one of three co-captains of a Relay for Life team comprised of Carson High School National Honor Society and Leadership students.

Mrs. Angila Golik, the National Honor Society sponsor, asked Alora to attend a Relay for Life meeting and it inspired her to form the team.

"Seeing all the people affected and hearing the statistics reminded me of the people I know that have lost the battle with cancer and it inspired me," Collier said.

Collier learned that one in three people will be affected by cancer and it hit home.

"My grandfather died of colon cancer and my grandma has skin cancer that she has removed. I know it's in my family and I certainly want to help find a cure before it becomes a threat to my life," Collier said.

So Collier, who will enter her senior year this fall, asked her friends to join the team. Fifteen students volunteered to help. That was in February, and the team has since grown to 21 members and raised close to $1,800. Their goal is $2,000 by this weekend's Relay for Life event at Carson High School.

"This is the first time I've ever taken something this big on," Collier said. "It teaches you responsibility because people are counting on you to have money in the bank."

Alora hopes that by getting involved, the students can help inspire everyone to do whatever they can to help raise money.

"Even if it doesn't seem like you are doing much, it helps. Even if it's just washing one car or cutting hair, if everyone does it to raise money I believe we would have a cure," Collier said. "I think the biggest problem (with finding a cure) is the lack of funding, which is why I want to stay involved."

Collier said she enjoys writing and hopes to go into journalism after she graduates from college. She hopes to continue to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.

"It's amazing the amount of impact 21 people can have for a cause if they work at it," Collier said. "I'm going to stay involved with Relay for Life for the rest of my life, to keep supporting it."

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.