Six months ago, sophomore advertising major Rebecca Tomsik received news that she had been diagnosed with cancer. When she shared the news with her sorority sisters in Kappa Delta, several of them stepped up to plan “No One Fights Alone.”
The event, held Monday night in Markin Performance Court, was a variety show featuring performers from across the campus community.
“This evening affair was to raise money, so it was decided to hold a variety show because Rebecca is a performer, and this is where she shines,” senior business management major and one of the event’s coordinators Holly Alguire said.
Tomsik, also a member of the on-campus dance crew Vitality, said she never expected the diagnosis.
“I was experiencing major leg pain from June, but being a dancer, I thought it was pain from dancing,” Tomsik said.
However, blood tests and biopsies led to a diagnosis of 3e Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, a fast-growing, common type of blood cancer in people over the age of 60. Tomsik said the healing process has been difficult, but is near its end.
“I just finished the sixth and final chemotherapy,” she said. “When I get home, I have three to four weeks of radiation over the summer.”
During the event, Bradley performers such as James Ghareeb, Ocean Glass, Orchesis, Vitality and the Oceanographers were a part of the show. However, many students said the highlight of the show was a family affair.
“The best was seeing Rebecca and her sister dance together,” junior psychology major Jessica Paulish said.
More than 100 people were in attendance, and the event raised just over $1,500, all of which will be donated to the American Cancer Society and Lymphoma Research Foundation, according to Alguire.
Tomsik said she, along with her family and her friends, never failed to keep a positive attitude.
“[This experience] has opened my eyes as to what is important,” she said. “I value things more and have a positive outlook on life. Positivity gets you through it. Stay positive.”
