Students from the Physician Assistant program participated in the Physician Assistant (PA) Olympics to raise money to support individuals suffering from cancer, and partook in a presentation ceremony on June 20. Due to the necessity of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the PA Olympic’s physical events were canceled and fundraising efforts were held online. 

This year, Arcadia students and representatives from Salus University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia University, Drexel University, DeSales University, Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia led online donation campaigns. The event collectively raised over $19,000 for the nonprofit organization For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation, which provides free vacations to adult cancer patients and their families to enjoy their time together and relax. Arcadia students contributed $4,800 toward the fundraising initiative. 

In honor of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, the For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation and PA Olympic participants worked together to ensure that the donation would specifically sponsor black community members for the foundation’s cancer respite programs.