Today we sit down with Alex Salottolo, Vice President and Partner at PLANNET. Alex and his wife Shannon have been supporters of the charity Cancer for College for almost three decades.
PLANNET: Thanks for filling us in on Cancer for College. What is the charity focused on, and how are you involved?
Alex: First, I am always inspired by our people at PLANNET. Our team members are genuinely involved in the community. The company itself supports several non-profits, and we have clients that are charitable organizations. Giving back is in the DNA of PLANNET. Cancer for College, or CFC, provides need-based college scholarships and educational experiences to students who are in remission or are currently battling cancer. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, the world stops, and everything becomes focused on beating the disease. Unfortunately, this often means that any available funds are funneled into the fight, potentially putting a financial strain on the student and their family – college fades into the background and may become out of reach. CFC helps bridge this financial gap.
PLANNET: How did Cancer for College get its start?
Alex: The organization got its start as a USC Business School project. Craig Pollard, a great family friend, had cancer while attending school. Due to his experience, he said to himself, “I want to make a difference.” Pollard created a business plan for a 501c non-profit, and CFC was born with the first fundraiser held in his backyard in 1994. That first event awarded a humble $500.00 scholarship.
PLANNET: How is CFC doing today?
Alex: Well, as fate would have it, while at USC, Craig was a fraternity brother with a very young and “unfamous” Will Ferrell. Will got involved early on, and as his fame grew, so did his involvement. This brought a tremendous amount of exposure to CFC, and as time went on, big sponsors joined, and the charity took off. Currently, CFC has awarded more than $6M in scholarships!
Back in the day: Craig and his future wife, Stacy, and Will attending a college party at USC
PLANNET: What is your involvement with CFC?
Alex: My wife Shannon and I have been involved since the early days. We sponsored their golf tournaments, participated in events, and donated regularly. But things changed for us when our very close friends lost their 21-year-old son to sarcoma. We wanted to support CFC in a bigger way, so we created the “Zach Cohen Memorial Scholarship” in his honor. Beginning this year, we will give a college scholarship to a young person who dreams of getting a degree, helping to offset the tremendous financial burden that fighting cancer brings. The inaugural scholarship was awarded to Udit Nijhawan, a young college filmmaker who rose above cancer and financial hardship to pursue his college dreams.
Alex Salottolo, right, with Darian Cohen, Zach’s father
PLANNET: That’s amazing! How can people get involved?
Alex: First, check out their site (www.cancerforcollege.org), which will tell you everything they do around the country. They are always looking for volunteers at their events, and of course, they would welcome donations of any size. It’s a great cause, and we are very proud of CFC’s growth and our involvement – we get to see directly where the money goes, and it makes an immediate impact. As I mentioned earlier, being a part of PLANNET is equally inspiring – so many of our people are out there making a difference. CFC is just that – it’s our family’s way of making a difference.
At the core of Cancer for College’s mission is the belief that cancer survivors deserve the opportunity to pursue higher education without the burden of financial constraints. Cancer treatments often deplete families’ resources, leaving survivors with limited options for further education. Cancer for College aims to bridge this gap by offering scholarships to those who have fought cancer and wish to pursue their dreams through higher education. To donate, please visit www.cancerforcollege.org.
Founded in 2001, PLANNET is an independent technology consulting firm focused on low-voltage design (smart-building technologies, IT/Networking, audiovisual, security, DAS) and data center consulting services. For more information, please visit www.plannet.com.
