It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t know someone who has been impacted by cancer to some degree.

Western Wyoming Community College (Western) wrestler Collin Smith is just one of many who has lost a loved one to cancer.

This season Smith is not only on a mission to beat the opposition on the mat, but he’s seeking to pin down a cure for cancer in honor of his grandfather.

Earlier this month, Smith announced his partnership with Pin Cancer — a nonprofit organization dedicated to “give wrestlers of all ages an avenue to inspire awareness, and raise funds for childhood cancer research.”

Over the summer, Smith spent time with NCAA Champion David Carr who wrestles at Iowa State. Carr had partnered with Pin Cancer and told Smith all about the organization’s purpose and goals. After looking into it, Smith connected with Pin Cancer and offered to become an ambassador to help raise awareness.

“I think it’s an amazing cause,” Smith said.

Smith lost his grandfather to cancer just a few years ago. During his senior year, his grandfather was diagnosed with stage four bone cancer. He said that his grandfather told him it didn’t matter what condition he was in, he was going to be there to watch him compete at the state tournament. When the state tournament came, his grandfather’s condition had worsened but he was able to still watch through a livestream.

“He was one of the biggest supporters I had in wrestling,” Smith said.

A few months passed and his grandfather had improved. The doctors had told him that he was cancer-free, however, the following summer he had a stroke and the doctors discovered he had brain cancer.

“It was pretty fast after that,” Smith said.

Smith said that Pin Cancer allows wrestlers just like him to share their stories and help inspire cancer awareness and that was his main reason behind becoming a Pin Cancer ambassador.

“I just think it’s such a cool opportunity I was given to spread awareness and share my grandpa’s story through something that we both love,” Smith said.

Many wrestlers hold their own fundraisers which are then donated to Pin Cancer. Smith said that he’d like to do something similar and raise funds for Pin Cancer.

Although his biggest supporter may not be there physically watching him compete as a Mustang, he knows that his grandfather would be proud of him on and off the mat.

“More than anything I think he’d be proud,” Smith said. “That’s what drove me to do this.”