Mustangs For A Cure Inspire Rotary with Student-Led Service

At our Friday meeting, we were pleased to welcome Emily Polo, Eric Dubsky, and Anna Placeway from Strongsville High School, representing Mustangs For A Cure.

These students are serving as Student Visionaries in partnership with Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), participating in a seven-week philanthropic leadership program that empowers students to raise funds, build community awareness, and support patients and families affected by blood cancer.

Their team, Team First Care, is made up of approximately 25 Strongsville High School students and has set an ambitious goal of raising $150,000 this year. The team has chosen to focus specifically on patient support, one of Blood Cancer United’s three core pillars, alongside research and policy advocacy.

Several of the students shared personal stories that motivate their involvement, including experiences supporting family members through cancer treatment. These firsthand perspectives highlighted the importance of patient and family assistance—not just medically, but emotionally and financially.

The students also shared the broader impact of their work:

• Every three minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer

• In the Cleveland market alone, nearly $65,000 was provided last year in direct patient financial assistance

• Since 2017, Student Visionaries nationwide have raised more than $230 million, with Cleveland ranking among the top 10 markets in the country

Emily also noted that skills developed through other activities, such as DECA, have helped her grow as a presenter—illustrating how students often bring strengths from multiple programs into their service work.

We thank Emily, Eric, Anna, and the entire Mustangs For A Cure team for an inspiring presentation and for demonstrating what Service Above Self looks like in action. Their dedication and leadership are making a meaningful difference in our community and beyond.

Strongsville Evening Meeting (Companion Club)

The Strongsville Rotary Companion Club met Wednesday evening, February 4, 2026, at the Strongsville Historical Society, welcoming an impressive turnout of returning prospective members, current members, and two (2) brand new visitors. The evening was generously catered by returning prospective member Landon Lucas, who provided a delicious spread from his Strongsville restaurant, Teriyaki Madness.

In addition to reviewing the club’s purpose and offerings for new attendees, members explored the red and blue badge journey, highlighting the “why” behind each requirement and how it fosters engagement and a sense of belonging. Several members - Chuck, Dave, Amy, Colton, Bob, and Barry - introduced themselves and shared their personal reasons for joining and remaining involved in the club. Dan Sage also spoke on the importance and responsibilities of the Foundation and Club Board meetings, as well as volunteer opportunities through the Chili Open. The meeting concluded with TJ leading the Chili Open discussion, including a planning update and event promotion, while Pat Hayes invited members to volunteer at the Golf Show in support of the event.

Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18th at 6pm; location to be determined and socialized accordingly.