According to the National Cancer Institute, projections estimated about 2 million new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer-related deaths in 2024. For these patients, life can be difficult as they navigate the physical and mental stresses of the disease. Letters of Light aims to uplift the spirits of these patients. Letters of Light is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aiming to support cancer patients through chemotherapy, radiation and other forms of treatment. Their method — sending letters to patients giving them support in a time when they need it the most. 

“I would say the mission, helping cancer patients go through treatment with really uplifting letters is super cool to me” vice president Archana Annampendu said. “I really like the idea of bringing the whole student body to do this because we make so many letters each and every time. I just think at every meeting, every time we make a letter, even a single letter, that can make someone so happy. That mission really appeals to me.”

After losing a loved one to cancer, president and founder Ananya Nagendra knew firsthand how much support cancer patients needed. Nagendra decided to found Letters of Light to give cancer patients going through treatment a bit of brightness in their lives. 

“I saw that many people in fact came alone to treatment sessions and truly did not have anyone to support them,” Nagendra said. “Especially with cancer being as much a mental disease as a physical disease, you really need support when you go through treatment like this. With that in mind, I really wanted to do something that gives back and helps support the people in situations like the one my mom was in. I think, for our age group, this what I felt best fit what we could do.”

Through their partnerships with Methodist, Baylor Scott and White, Texas Oncology and Texas Presbyterian, Letters of Light is able to send supportive letters to cancer patients across the United States. Letters of Lights gives students the opportunity to write letters during service events in exchange for service hours. In addition to supporting cancer patients, Letters of Light aims to educate the community and students about cancer.

“We write letters that are all written by students under the age of 18,” Nagendra said. “These letters are given to patients during their treatment sessions, so it’s meant to act as sources of encouragement as they go through treatment. We also focus on having sessions on preventative health care to educate students, especially high school students, on how they can take measures in their lives to ensure that they’re able to have good detection systems around them and be able to get early detection.”

Letters of Light saw a significant impact on the patients they’ve sent letters to. Many patients shared their thanks to Letters of Light for giving them support through their trying times. 

“A lot of patients have been sending us thank you notes and have been very appreciative of our letters and of us being able to deliver these letters specifically for treatment sessions,” Nagendra said. “On top of that, we’ve been in touch with nursing staff who have been very appreciative and have seen that us delivering these letters and being able to give these letters, especially to patients who have been undergoing treatment for years and years, it truly makes a difference in how they view their treatment sessions when they come in.” 

Letters of Light also impacted its members by giving them a chance to do something good for people who need it the most. 

“The people that write the letters, we’re obviously appreciative of them, they make the whole thing possible,” vice president Shivam Tripathi said. “I think that not only do [volunteers] get service hours but its also fulfilling to know you’re doing something good with your time.”

Despite its large impact, Letters of Light still wants to expand and do more to help cancer patients. 

“Right now, we’re only writing letters to adult cancer patients but we want to in the future expand to have children receive letters as well as donation items,” Nagendra said. “I’d really like to expand on our preventative healthcare initiative and try to push more on truly educating different age groups on how they can take preventative measures and get early detection. Early detection saves lives.”

There are many ways to get involved with Letters of Light. Students interested can join their Google Classroom or follow their Instagram @joinlettersoflight. Attending service events and writing letters can also help support Letters of Light’s mission. If unable to attend events, one can write letters and fill out their submission link online.

“One thing I truly didn’t expect when I started Letters of Light is for it to help me recover with my grief,” Nagendra said. “I truly think that being able to help other people and see that you’re making an actionable impact on others’ lives just feels very good.”