If sheer enthusiasm could cure cancer, the disease would have a mighty foe in the students at Lace Elementary School. 

The third- through fifth-graders at Lace filled the school gym with cheers Wednesday as Cancer Smashers chair Beth Tischler rallied them in support of an upcoming fundraiser.

Tischler asked every student who knows someone who has been diagnosed with cancer to raise his hand. The gym filled with tiny, raised palms. 

She called to the front of the room members of Cancer Smashers, a group of local schoolchildren dedicated to supporting cancer research. 

“These people in front of you have decided they’re tired of cancer,” she said.

During the last week in January, with the help of Cancer Smashers, Lace will join forces with Eisenhower Junior High to compete against Prairieview Elementary and Lakeview Junior High to raise money for cancer research.

The schools’ student councils will sell paper fists ­— to smash cancer — for $1 each. Students can then write on the fist the name of someone they know who has been affected by cancer.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern University.

Lace Principal Marty Casey said he sees the fundraiser as part of the school’s yearlong initiative promoting civility.

“If you see someone in need,” Casey told the students, “use positive energy to help each other out.”

If Lace wins the challenge, Prairieview Principal Janeise Schultz will have to wear a Lace fleece for a whole week. Casey will wear a Prairieview T-shirt if the rival school comes out on top.

“We’ve already been told by Prairieview, ‘There’s no possible way we can lose,’ so we’ve got to win now,” Casey said.

Cancer Smashers will officially kick off the event at 1 p.m. Jan. 20 with a rally at EJH featuring CBS 2 anchor Rob Johnson. The paper fists will be on sale Jan. 23-27.