On March 15, Rogel Cancer Center welcomed over 200 students and chaperones to the annual One Day Closer event at NCRC. This immersive experience featured nine interactive activities led by dedicated faculty and trainees, all designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of cancer researchers and healthcare professionals.

Attendees participated in a variety of engaging sessions, including lab tours with members of the DiFeo and Moon labs, a genetic counseling activity, and a bench-to-bedside experience showcasing the journey from scientific discovery to patient care. The MiCARES research team energized participants with a Jeopardy-style game, while students tested their skills in micropipetting and explored the world of radiology cancer screening. The event also featured a career panel, insights from patient family support services, and a hands-on lab show & tell activity.

The response from students and chaperones was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the event’s impact in making cancer research and healthcare careers more accessible and exciting. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the faculty, trainees, and volunteers who generously shared their time and expertise—your passion and dedication truly make this event possible.

Looking ahead to next year, we are eager to continue expanding this inspiring experience. If you are a faculty member or trainee interested in creating an activity or volunteering for next year’s event, please reach out to RogelTrEC@med.umich.edu.

Additionally, the Patient & Family Support Services team at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center would like to THANK YOU for sharing your vision of “healing” by contributing your wonderful drawing to our HEALING HANDS art project!  All the drawings received thus far from the ONE DAY CLOSER event can be viewed in the online gallery room here: https://www.artworkarchive.com/profile/voicesartgallery/exhibition/healing-hands/pieces?room=one-day-closer .

We can’t wait to start planning for One Day Closer 2026!