From encouraging young cancer survivors to supporting Alzheimer’s patients and addressing global environmental issues, student-led nonprofits step up to serve their community and make an impact.
ThyroCure Student Corporation
Dedicated to supporting young thyroid cancer patients through student-led initiatives, ThyroCure was founded in November 2023 by senior Alex Lee, a former thyroid cancer patient. ThyroCure aims to alleviate the challenges of navigating the multitude of doctors by offering personalized, in-person services. Their services include STEM-based educational seminars, musical performances and arts and crafts activities, designed to bring comfort to patients during their treatment journey.
“Going off of Reston Hospital, our music team has done performances at the Reston Hospital for patients and staff,” senior Annanya Bitra said. “We are also trying to expand so that we have educational seminar team volunteers to help and teach kids at STEM events.”
Through their social media outreach and magazines, ThyroCure’s team has now expanded across Chantilly, Oakton and Thomas Jefferson High Schools. Since its establishment, ThyroCure has connected with over 200 individuals, striving to make the hospital experience even 1% better for each patient.
“A lot of artists will also wanna do stem, and I think ThyroCure is a really great place to start; in our magazine team we’re working on trying to make visuals to visualize the research that’s out there on thyroid cancer, which is not that available, ” Bitra said. “There’s truly a place for anyone and everyone here, especially for people who want to see how humanities and stem intersect and how they are needed in our lives all the time.”
Thyrocure is on instagram at @thyrocuresc, where you can fill out a google form in their bio to join. They also have a website at thyrocure.org.
Mission Green Global
Founded by senior Arushi Surve and her friends senior Alexa Gilbert, Anusha Ghosalkar, Srinidhi Krishnan, Vyhika Gourishetty, Vedha Bana and Eubin Kim, Mission Green Global aims to address ecological concerns from plastic pollution to marine life preservation.
Used with permission of Arushi Surve
“I’ve been into the environment my whole life, and that’s why I started Mission Green Global,” Surve said. “The nonprofit takes a holistic approach, with virtual volunteers raising awareness through blogs and fundraisers, while global chapters engage in hands-on activities like tree planting and waterway cleanups.”
With chapters spanning 48 countries worldwide, Mission Green Global is working to expand its reach and impact. The organization recently joined the U.S. Climate Action Network, aligning with over 90 environmental groups to advocate for legislative change.
“We’re trying to reach the broader community—not just youth, but parents and community members too,” Surve said. “Upcoming projects we’re planning right now include a 5K run, a stargazing event to raise awareness about light pollution and a global initiative called Mission Green Global Day.
Mission Green Global is on instagram @missiongreenglobal, and they have a website at missiongreenglobal.com, where students can join their volunteer program.
EvryMemory
Focused on improving the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, EvryMemory is founded by sophomore Moukti Yeruva. The idea began when Yeruva visited her grandmother in India and witnessed the lack of adequate care for those suffering from memory-related illnesses.
Used with permission of Moukti Yeruva
“I really fell in love with trying to help the patients, because oftentimes people look into diseases like cancer, but overlook people with Alziemer’s because the individuals are much older,” Yeruva said. “Through my nonprofit, I love seeing the smiles on their faces.”
What began as a local effort, has developed into a program focused on supporting elderly patients in their final stages of life, where social connection is often limited. Through events such as baby doll drives and volunteering for elderly patients, EvryMemory aims to help residents feel seen and loved, and spark awareness and compassion for an often-overlooked cause.
“The nonprofit focuses on activities that bring joy to nursing home residents, such as crafting events and social gatherings,” Yeruva said. “Just making these last stages really the brightest they can be, and having that intergenerational kind of connection really helps them.”
Evrymemory is on instagram at @evrymemory_alz, where they post updates on their volunteer events.
