Students, faculty and community members recently gathered in and around Thompson Gymnasium for Elizabethtown College’s annual Relay for Life.
This year’s event took place from 3 p.m. Friday, April 5 until 3 a.m. Saturday, April 6.
Etown’s Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) club runs the event, which raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.
According to the American Cancer Society’s website, Relay for Life events have occurred in 5,200 communities in 20 countries.
“Overall, the purpose of Relay for Life is to illustrate that because cancer never sleeps, neither will we until it has been defeated!” senior CAC President Amanda Hafler said in an email interview.
CAC set a fundraising goal of $20,000 for the 2018-2019 academic year. As of the end of Relay for Life, the club had shattered this goal, raising a total of over $32,000.
Over $3,700 of that total was raised during the 12-hour event. Hafler said she would like to thank everyone who donated, especially the Bainbridge Believers, who raised over $12,000 in the local community.
A variety of ceremonies and activities were available in addition to the traditional relay. Some of the College’s performance groups entertained attendees and there were games throughout the night. Clubs raised money as well by selling items during the Midway Fair.
While all this occurred, an actual walking relay took place on the path around the gym. There were also ceremonies honoring cancer survivors, people who are still fighting and people who have passed away.
During the Fight Back Ceremony, students could donate eight inches of their hair to the American Cancer Society’s Hair Reshare Program. Students have a friend cut their hair, which is used to make wigs for patients losing their hair due to chemotherapy.
Hafler said the Fight Back Ceremony is one of her favorite parts of the night.
“Seeing the faces of the 29 girls who donated their hair to make wigs for cancer patients has always been a highlight of what I consider one of the best parts of Relay for Life,” Hafler said. “It really shows that the small sacrifices we make can make a huge difference in our battles against cancer.”
After some initial nerves, senior Rehana Persaud decided to donate her hair after the ceremony started.
“I had too much [hair] already,” Persaud said with a laugh. “I’ve been meaning to cut it for a while, and…it was the perfect opportunity. I figured, why not do it for this type of cause?”
The event’s theme was “Wish Upon a Cure,” which Hafler said “allowed us to fight against cancer with the help of our favorite Disney friends!”
Hafler and Persaud said they think the event went well. Both students participate in Relay for Life because cancer has affected their lives.
“Friends and family of mine continue to be scared and afraid of when cancer could strike next, and after losing so many people, I finally decided I didn’t want to stand by…and let cancer win,” Hafler said. “Each time I walk around that track, I know I’m showing cancer that I’m not going to let it take anything else away from me.”
