Coffeyville Community College sent Phi Theta Kappa member Karen Sue McKenzie to the Kansas state capital in the Topeka early last week to help advocate for The American Cancer Society and House Bill 2369.

“House Bill 2369 is a bill that prevents children under the age of 18 from using tanning beds,” said  McKenzie. “The UV rays from the tanning beds are the leading cause of melanoma later in life.”

McKenzie was given a briefing and then met with various legislators to gain support for the bill. The involvement in this process gave Mackenzie an interactive experience and a sense of purpose.

“I benefited from this by getting to participate in a cause bigger than myself. It is an important cause to support,” said  McKenzie.  “My mother always informed me about skin disease and never let me tan in a tanning bed, but I know other children are not always made aware of the damage tanning beds can cause to their skin.”

McKenzie was then able to meet with Conley Cornell, who puts on Coffeyville’s Relay for Life. McKenzie is CCC’s student representative and is helping raise money through Phi Theta Kappa.

“It was great that I got to spend the day and work with her so I could learn what she wanted me to do in order to later work alongside one another,” said McKenzie.