Gilda's Club Western New York Presents 3rd Annual Teen Writing Contest

 The 3rd Annual Teen Writing Contest is open to any student in grades 9-12 who has been impacted by cancer in any way, whether their own, a family member's, a friend's or a teacher's diagnosis. Anyone who submits their own original work is eligible to enter and cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place honors.

We are looking for entries that are in either poetry or essay format, with a maximum of 500 words. Students are encouraged to write openly and honestly, within the limit of acceptable public language. They may write about anything that resonates with them about the cancer experience - fears, anger, grief, survival, change, positive impacts, etc. Students are also encouraged to discuss this activity with the people who are closest to them as their writing and participation may generate new levels of communication in families touched by cancer.

Entries will be accepted any time between now and December 4th, 2009. Winners will be announced in January at an awards ceremony reception honoring participants and their guests.