When Kayla Smith decided to write a paper for her advanced writing class in college about colon cancer, she didn't even realize there was a whole month dedicated to it. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month.
"In my research paper, I had to write how I was going to get the word out, so it just started from there," said the Minnesota State Community and Technical College -- Moorhead student.
Not only is colon cancer an important topic in general, it's an extra important one to Smith. Her mother, Gaylene Smith of Frazee, died of colon cancer last year.
"I would just randomly think, 'oh we can raise money like this, or like this,'" she said.
So she enlisted support from those closest to her mother. Gaylene had worked for Travel Travel in Detroit Lakes for years, and Smith went to them first for help getting the word out. She also contacted Lakeshirts and got a deal on T-shirts.
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Gaylene did some work for Dairy Queen owner Lee Kensinger, and he agreed to help raise awareness as well. He donated everything to make sundaes, and Tweeton's Refrigeration is donating the ice cream machine to make the sundaes.
The T-shirts and ice cream sundaes are being sold at the Frazee High School.
Also helping raise funds in the name of colon cancer awareness support are Pizza Hut and Perkins. On March 18, Pizza Hut will donate 20 percent of a person's check from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Perkins will do the same on March 24 from 4 to 9 p.m. Smith will be distributing coupons for the restaurants, or people are asked to mention they want their 20 percent donated to this cause.
One last venture is located at Video Action, Frazee High School and Travel Travel in Detroit Lakes where people can buy a blue bracelet that says, "Love. Faith. Hope. In Loving Memory of Gaylene Smith." They are $2. People can also make a cash donation at Video Action or Travel Travel through March.
All proceeds from sale of T-shirts, ice cream and bracelets and the restaurant tabs at Pizza Hut and Perkins will go to the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo.
Smith said she hopes to present the donation check to the doctor who took care of her mother.
"Hopefully we can spread more awareness," she said. "This is our first year, so this is our test year."
