Grand View University recently recognized September 12^th as Childhood Cancer Awareness Day at its home football game. As fans entered the stadium, they were handed yellow ribbons to wear and given the opportunity to sign a petition to help raise awareness for childhood cancer research. Yellow ribbon decals were worn by members of the Grand View football team on their helmets and public service announcements regarding childhood cancer were read throughout the game. Members of the Grand View dance team collected donations from the crowd at halftime.

Fourteen-year-old Mackenzie West of Pleasant Hill was the key organizer of the event at Grand View. West's older sister Amanda is a member of the Grand View golf team and her parents are Grand View Alumni. West became involved in the Childhood Cancer Awareness initiative in February of 2008 when the son of her father's co-worker was diagnosed with cancer. Through research and following Care Pages, a web site dedicated to telling the stories of cancer patients, West learned that only as small amount of the money raised for cancer research was going towards finding a cure for childhood cancer. She then made it a personal mission to raise awareness and funding to finding a cure for childhood cancer. West aspires to one day be a pediatric oncologist.

Troy Plummer, Grand View Director of Athletics said that, "The Grand View University Athletic Department is proud to help bring awareness and raise money for such a great cause. A special acknowledgement should go to Mackenzie West and her family for helping us to coordinate everything that went on that day. Her passion for this cause is very impressive."

The event raised approximately $400 to be donated to childhood cancer research.