AUBURN HILLS — Alex Zayid, 23, is the recipient of this year’s Detroit Pistons Game Changer of the Year Award.  

He was presented with the honor Nov. 25 at a Pistons game in Auburn Hills for the work of his charity, Youth For The Fight (YFTF). 

Zayid, right, with a representative from the American Cancer Society.

“Game Changers” are everyday people making a difference in their communities through service, leadership and volunteerism. Through the Come Together Game Changers Program the Detroit Pistons are recognizing and rewarding unsung heroes in the state. 

YFTF is a non-profit organization that was started in 2012 after Zayid’s father Geno Zayid, a successful attorney was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and passed away of it in 2010. 

YFTF’s mission is to raise cancer awareness throughout the youth community. 

A total of 120 people were nominated for the award. Zayid was nominated by Derek Dickow, the founder of Steward Media. Zayid says Dickow has been one of his mentors and role models. 

At its first gala last year, the YFTF managed to raise $21,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS), and at its gala this year the organization collected $9,000 in donations for the ACS. 

Despite being held in the name of a new organization, both galas attracted hundreds of guests. Thirty-seven people from the ACS attended the Pistons game where Zayid received the award in support of him and the charity.  

While Zayid has accomplished a lot at a young age, he takes the most pride in the impact his charity’s work continues to have. 

“The best feeling you could have comes from when you are actually impacting others,” Zayid said. 

Attendees at YFTF galas were between the ages of 18-27. Alex wanted to make sure to keep the age demographic of the event below 30 to ensure he stuck to his goal of engaging more of the youth community in philanthropy.

“The mission of my non-profit organization is to integrate the youth community in philanthropic endeavors while also raising cancer awareness…My Youth for the Fight initiative not only raised money for cancer awareness but also inspired a network of young adults eager to participate in the philanthropy community,” Zaid said. 

The charity has had a very positive influence on the youth by encouraging them to get involved in philanthropic efforts. Since the launch of the charity a lot of young people have approached Zayid asking him for advice on how to launch or improve their own charitable groups. 

 Zayid who is half Palestinian and half Jordanian graduated from Oakland University in August and plans on going to medical school. 

Zayid found a strong passion in the medical field from a young age. Through volunteering at various hospitals as well as having a father with many health issues, this passion grew into a possible career path. 

He has high hopes for the charity in the coming years, and has considered eventually establishing chapters in different states one day. 

The 2013 recipient of the Game Changer of the Year award also receives a Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition.  

“This award was an opportunity for Youth For The Fight to get an immense amount of recognition for all the work it has done in the last two years,” Zayid said. 

He says his own personal experiences of losing his father to cancer make him very passionate about the charity’s cause. His advice to other people who plan on establishing a charity is to make sure it is focused on a cause close to their heart. 

“You have to do something you are passionate about. It has to come from a good place,” Zayid said. To donate to Youth For The Fight or learn more about the charity visit www.youthforthefight.com.