Spring Break
Relay for Life gives hope to those touched by cancer
All-night event Friday involved more than 1,000 participants, raised over $57,000 for cancer
Makenna Bishop
Issue date: 5/18/09 Section: News
Friday night more than 1,000 participants showed up in the MU Quad to set up camp to raise money and fight the battle against cancer.
Relay For Life is an annual event for the American Cancer Society, and takes place at different venues across the nation.
The participants were formed into teams prior to the event and worked together to raise money for the event. At the event, members of the team took shifts to walk, run, jog or skip around the track. Each team was asked to always have at least one representative on the track throughout the entire event, which lasted from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday morning.
The event was attended by students, faculty and community members alike. Teams hauled tents, sleeping bags, couches and even a few televisions into the quad for the overnight event.
Some participants relied on "Red Bull Pong" that was set up at a few campsites to keep energized and entertained. Others brought Guitar Hero and other videogames to help pass the time, while some just brought cards and board games to the relay.
The Relay For Life officially began after a survivor lap where all cancer survivors made their way through the track, which was lined with the other participants who cheered them on.
Lining the pathways of the Quad was the Luminaria Ceremony of Hope, which is a way to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer and honor those who have won their battle.
The Luminaria Ceremony began as the sun set over the campsites, and the glow from the illuminated bags lit the path. Each bag represented a story of someone who has been profoundly affected by the disease.
At the Oregon State event there were 80 registered teams who raised $57,357.75.
Jennifer Villalobos, a student in business administration, was the chair for the previous three Relay For Life events. Rishia Mitchell was this year's chair.
Villalobos said that the Relay For Life is an amazing event that brings communities together in the fight against cancer. She said it is always wonderful to see more than 1,000 college students give up their Friday night for such an event.
Relay For Life is an annual event for the American Cancer Society, and takes place at different venues across the nation.
The participants were formed into teams prior to the event and worked together to raise money for the event. At the event, members of the team took shifts to walk, run, jog or skip around the track. Each team was asked to always have at least one representative on the track throughout the entire event, which lasted from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday morning.
The event was attended by students, faculty and community members alike. Teams hauled tents, sleeping bags, couches and even a few televisions into the quad for the overnight event.
Some participants relied on "Red Bull Pong" that was set up at a few campsites to keep energized and entertained. Others brought Guitar Hero and other videogames to help pass the time, while some just brought cards and board games to the relay.
The Relay For Life officially began after a survivor lap where all cancer survivors made their way through the track, which was lined with the other participants who cheered them on.
Lining the pathways of the Quad was the Luminaria Ceremony of Hope, which is a way to remember those who have lost their lives to cancer and honor those who have won their battle.
The Luminaria Ceremony began as the sun set over the campsites, and the glow from the illuminated bags lit the path. Each bag represented a story of someone who has been profoundly affected by the disease.
At the Oregon State event there were 80 registered teams who raised $57,357.75.
Jennifer Villalobos, a student in business administration, was the chair for the previous three Relay For Life events. Rishia Mitchell was this year's chair.
Villalobos said that the Relay For Life is an amazing event that brings communities together in the fight against cancer. She said it is always wonderful to see more than 1,000 college students give up their Friday night for such an event.
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