Central Missouri Police Academy Cadets Aid in Fight Against Cancer

 

Membes of the 166th class of Central Missouri Police Academy cadets and CMPA staff display a large check they presented to representatives of the Johnson County Cancer Foundation.

WARRENSBURG, MO – While cadets at the Central Missouri Police Academy prepare for future law enforcement careers, they are finding ways to give back to the community by fighting against a deadly disease. Members of the 166th CMPA class at the University of Central Missouri recently donated $1,300 they raised to help fight cancer.

Twenty-one fall 2023 cadets, along with CMPA staff members, gathered outside the academy on the northwest side of UCM on Oct. 10 to make the check presentation to representatives of the Johnson County Cancer Foundation. Accepting the donation was Ashlee Holdren, foundation president, and Chad Edwards, treasurer. Both individuals are Warrensburg residents and UCM alumni. Edwards graduated from UCM in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, and Holdren earned a master’ degree in Education in 2006 and an Education Specialist degree in 2009.

Recognizing that cancer is a serious health issue that has a widespread impact – with nearly everyone knowing someone who has been affected by this disease – the cadets conducted a philanthropic project to help create awareness and to raise money to help cancer victims. Funds came from the sale of t-shirts that were sold by the cadets. Printed on the back of each shirt is a pair of wings and the words, “No one fights alone,” symbolizing the cadets’ collective desire to make a difference in the lives of cancer victims. Also included on each shirt are the names of individuals the cadets know who are either cancer survivors or men and women who lost their battle to this disease.

“This sends a message, not only for the living, but for those people who have left us because of cancer,” said Natalie Jaramillo, a cadet from Los Angeles who now resides in Knob Noster. “This can be for any kind of cancer. Our wings represent hope.”

Representatives of the Johnson County Cancer Foundation thanked the cadets for their efforts. In commenting on their fundraising project, Edwards echoed the sentiment that was expressed on the t-shirts.

“This is huge. We’re all in this together. No one fights cancer alone,” he said.

Demonstrating the need for support in the battle against this deadly disease, research by the American Cancer Society demonstrates there are nearly 5,400 new cases and more than 1,600 deaths every day that are related to this health issue. 

Individuals who made this fundraising event possible are preparing for careers in law enforcement with a goal to serve in law enforcement agencies at communities across the state of Missouri.