According to the American Cancer Society’s website, both men and women have about a one in three chance of developing some form of cancer and a one in five chance of dying once diagnosed. Decreasing that probability is a goal of Elizabethtown College’s annual Relay for Life, which starts at 3 p.m. Friday, March 23 in Thompson Gymnasium. The 12-hour event brings awareness to the ongoing fight against cancer and raises money for the American Cancer Society.
Many schools and communities nationwide hold an annual Relay for Life or a similar event. Etown’s is run by the Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) club. It is the club’s main event of the year. Last year’s Relay raised around $50,000 for the American Cancer Society, and this year’s fundraising goal is $55,000.
“I’ve never come across a person who has never been touched by cancer in some way,” senior CAC president Karlie Kimball said. “Relay gives everyone a chance to fight for a world of more birthdays and less cancer.”
Etown’s Relay for Life features a combination of ceremonies, fundraisers and activities. There will also be free food for those who register online. Many student clubs form relay teams, sell items and host activities at the Midway Fair.
Junior Sarah Pomerantz co-captains the Circle K team. Circle K has participated in Relay for Life before, and this year the team will make and sell ribbons for people to decorate and wear.
“I really like the Midway Fair. It’s especially great to see so many different things to do or buy,” she said.
Other activities throughout the night entertain attendees and remind them of the event’s purpose. Past Relay events have included performances by Etown’s a cappella and dance groups and Pound fitness classes.
There will be a few ceremonies in addition to the other activities. During the Fight Back ceremony, people can sign up to cut their hair and donate it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which creates wigs for children with cancer. This ceremony takes place at 7 p.m.
The other ceremony is the Luminaria ceremony at 10 p.m. A Relay for Life staple, this event invites people who have been touched by cancer to decorate paper bags in honor of people they have known. The bags will be lined up around the track, and candles placed inside them will be lit to honor “those who fight, those who beat cancer and those who have passed,” according to Kimball.
“[The Luminaria ceremony] is always so touching, and the slideshow of pictures always leaves an impact, even if you were not personally affected by someone who had or has cancer,” Pomerantz said.
The actual relay will take place on the hallway track around the gymnasium. At least one member from each team must be on the track at all times.
Even with all the food, events and club fundraisers, the meaning of Relay is not lost. Participants often have personal ties to the fight against cancer and are encouraged to answer the event’s central question: “Why do you Relay?”
Many people participate to honor family members. Both of Pomerantz’s grandfathers died of cancer. One of them fought six forms of cancer throughout his lifetime, and Pomerantz remembers visiting him a few hours before he passed away.
“I always like to commemorate their lives during this time, and my family always likes to donate Luminarias in honor of them,” she said.
Kimball participates in honor of her childhood friend Ricky, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in elementary school. Kimball and Ricky’s lockers were next to each other, and they also sat side by side in almost every class, so Kimball noticed when Ricky started coming to school less and less.
“One morning at the bus stop I got the word that Ricky passed and got his wings,” Kimball said.
“I Relay so that there are no more Rickys in this world.”
So far, 31 teams and 237 overall participants have registered for Etown’s Relay for Life. Those interested can sign up by going to relayforlife.org, clicking “Join a Relay” and searching for Etown’s event. Students without teams can create their own team with a friend group or sign up as individuals.
According to Kimball, while students who register as individuals cannot sell items at the Midway Fair, they can participate in all other activities.
“The night impacts everyone,” Kimball said. “It’s an opportunity to really think about the impact that cancer has and really make a difference in the world of cancer.”
