Megan Palestro '25 is president of Siena's American Cancer Society on Campus. In fact, she's the national chair, overseeing hundreds of chapters on campuses all over the country. Megan's personally responsible for massive fundraising impacting countless cancer patients, but there's always one person, in particular, on her mind.
When Megan has news to share, her grandmother, Lois (above, left), always hears it first. Megan's had a special connection with her grandmother for longer than she can remember. In fact, it was Lois who introduced Megan to theater and Broadway, her first love. Megan treasures every special moment they've spent together, now more than ever.
Lois was diagnosed with throat cancer and after a protracted battle, the cancer retreated, and Lois went home just before COVID. Recently, the cancer came back. In spite of the grim prognosis, Megan may be doing more than any college student on the planet to create more special moments for her and her grandmother, and for the millions of other families counting special moments as the cancer progresses.
Megan initially found Relay For Life by invitation and chance. Back in high school, a friend was already signed up for a meeting, and she asked Megan to tag along. Relay is a network of annual fundraising walks throughout the country that has raised millions of dollars toward cancer research ever since the first Relay over 35 years ago. Megan went to one meeting and found her purpose. When exploring college options, she specifically looked for engaged American Cancer Society chapters. Siena was the perfect fit.
"I've always wanted to help people. For a long time, I thought I wanted to be a child therapist. There's a culture at Siena for helping those in need, and I found my place with the American Cancer Society on Campus. I jumped right in my freshman year and was our Siena liaison to Relay for Life."
Megan's role on campus and within the American Cancer Society (ACS) has grown - quickly and dramatically. Two years ago, Megan saw a post on social media looking for applicants for the National Campus & Youth Engagement Team. Megan was one of a dozen or so students accepted, and she was flown to Kansas City for a transition meeting. She re-applied last month, made the team again, and just returned from a transition meeting in Chicago. She now oversees ACS on Campus chapters from coast to coast.
"As the only student from a New York college on this team, I'm able to bring some much needed information and so many ideas back to the Siena campus. There are so many things we're going to be able to do!"
By the end of this year, the ACS will have flown Megan to five national conferences, and at several, Megan has been asked to speak. She's met with hundreds, maybe thousands, of patients, survivors, and advocates - but her grandma is never far from her mind.
"She's always been so strong for me and my family; she hates it when we have to be strong for her. She doesn't want me to see her sick. I tell her about all the work I'm doing for the ACS, and she appreciates how much people care. We both hope that future generations of grandparents and grandchildren won't have to go through this. That's why I'm doing it."
The work continues this year. In fact, college ACS chapters in the Capital Region annually form a coalition for Relay For Life (the only of its kind in the country) and march as one. This spring, with Siena College leading the way, the clubs raised more than $23,000. Megan and the Siena chapter will spend the fall considering ways to make the 2024 Relay bigger and better. You'll be encouraged to support! Stay tuned for updates.
