Now that the new school year has arrived, S.P.A.R.K. Club is ready for its second year of inspiring and enacting change. Last year, Melissa Bautista ‘14 founded the club with Rosario Macahilas ‘14. S.P.A.R.K club raises students’ awareness about different diseases, especially Breast Cancer and Diabetes. Since last year, the club has successfully raised $500 to help those with cancer.

Bautista started the club out of an interest in the medical field and a passion for altruistic pursuits. “I want the SHC community to be more supportive of different diseases because they could really affect and change someone’s life,” she said.

For its first event of the year, S.P.A.R.K. will participate in Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes. Step Out is the American Diabetes Association’s fundraising walk and will take place on September 28 in Golden Gate Park. This event itself, according to the information gathered from last year’s walk, has raised over 24 million dollars. All money raised go towards medical research that supports finding a cure for diabetes.

S.P.A.R.K. Club wanted be involved with the walk because fighting one of the most common hereditary diseases (diabetes) is a noble cause that dovetails with the club’s mission statement. By supporting such an event, members hope to show their solidarity with those fighting diabetes.

The club always welcomes students and faculty members who aren’t part of the club to join them on their walks. This year, the club plans on holding a bake sale and passing out cans for monetary collections during school hours to collect more donations . Those interested in participating should stay tuned to the announcements for further information.