Many people have pulled an all-nighter for an assignment or to study for a test, but have they ever pulled an all-nighter for cancer research? Essentially, that’s what Relay for Life is—a fun yet somber all-nighter for cancer research.
“[Relay for Life is] a 12 hour fundraising event for American Cancer Society,” Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) president Brooke Charria said. Charria is a senior bio pre-med major. This is Charria’s first year as president, as last year she was the club’s treasurer.
Relay for Life took place from 3 p.m on April 14 to 3 a.m on April 15 in Thompson Gymnasium. The day was bursting with lively events like Zumba, Pound and raffles and performances by Melica, Emotion, Phalanx and Mad Cow. Shortly after registration at 3 p.m, the event starts with a Survivorship ceremony, where cancer survivors share their stories. Later on in the day, there was a hair cutting ceremony where students could donate hair to children with hair loss and a luminaria ceremony where lanterns were lit in honor and memory of loved ones with cancer.
“We have different themed laps, like [there’s] a swimming lap and a crab lap. We do a lap every hour,” Charria said. This year’s Relay theme was ‘Let’s Wipe Out Cancer’ which was demonstrated through a beachy, summer vibe. The hallways of Thompson gymnasium were covered in colorful streamers and decorative fish and flowers, giving lappers a vivid set to admire as they walked.
“It feels very powerful and very moving to be a part of something so vital to cancer research and supporting cancer patients,” CAC Treasurer Kate Santangelo said. Santangelo is a senior occupational therapy major. This is also her first year as treasurer of the club. “[CAC] always feels like a very positive thing to be involved in. I feel like I’m supporting a good cause.” Both Charria and Santangelo were present and very hands-on at Relay, keeping the event orderly and on track.
At 9 p.m., CAC held their luminaria ceremony where they lit paper bags with yellow glow sticks and arranged them on the bleachers in the shape of the word ‘Hope’. After the hourly lap where participants lit bags lined up throughout the hallway, upon re-entry of the gym, the letters on the bleachers changed to read: ‘Cure’. On the bags in the hallway, there were names of cancer victims who have passed away or are still fighting with the disease. The lights were dimmed and the hallways glowed, as participants filled each bag with a glowstick. It was a beautiful ceremony that reminded everyone involved why they ‘Relay.’
“So far we’ve already raised $10,000 for [the] American Cancer Society, and that’s even prior to our event,” Charria said. Anyone could register on the CAC website, or if they came in person, they could use cash or student charge $15 to come anytime during the event. One of the lovely attendants at the table adjacent to the gym’s main entrance marked participants with an ‘x’ in sharpie in order to keep track of the many people who came to ‘wipe out’ the disease.
While some may have tucked in for the night, Relay was still swinging from 11 p.m on with games like limbo, dodgeball, a wheelbarrow race and karaoke. Throughout the night, there were games like can jam and spikeball across the gym floor.
“From the ideas being thrown out there to [setting] it up–it’s cool to see it all come together,” Santangelo said. Last year’s Relay raised $17,500 according to an appreciative post on their Instagram. With so many dedicated members of the club and committed students, it’s no wonder their event had such an impact—and you can have one too! Be sure to keep an eye out next year and check out their account, @etowncac, for updates about next year’s Relay and how you can get involved.
