There are more than four million participants in Relay for Life in more than 20 countries every year. The goal of these events is to raise money and awareness for cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society website, “Events are up to twenty-four hours long and, because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.”
Every year the Relay for Life movement raises $400 million for cancer research to provide free information and services to those with cancer, according to the website.
To do their part in the battle against cancer, Keene State College hosted their annual Relay For Life fundraiser in the Spaulding Gymnasium from 8 p.m. on April 10, until 8 a.m. the next morning.
KSC sophomore Neula Ha said she was so inspired by last year’s event that she decided to join the planning committee for this year.
“I did Relay for Life my freshman year and it was such an incredible thing. For my sophomore year, I wanted to have a bigger part in the event, so I joined the committee,” Ha explained.
In addition to helping plan the event, Ha is also a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority.
“A lot of the sisters came tonight,” Ha said.
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Ha continued, “We’ve had sisters who went through cancer, so this kind of event really hits home for us.”
Anna Wright, another KSC sophomore, was also participating in Relay for Life with her sorority.
Wright explained that her sorority had set up a table at the event and were selling ribbons and cookies throughout the night.
All proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society.
“I’ve had some family members who have had cancer, and I know some people who have lost very close friends to cancer,” Wright said, as to why she was attending Relay for Life.
While it was Wright’s first time attending the event, she said she plans on coming back.
“I’m having so much fun,” Wright said. Justin Mahan, a KSC first-year, agreed and said, “I’m having a blast.” Mahan lives in Holloway Hall at KSC and was part of the Holloway Team at Relay for Life.
“I’m relaying for my godmother who passed away after fighting brain cancer when I was in eighth grade,” Mahan explained, “I’m raising money to help find a cure for cancer.”
Like Wright, the Friday night event in the Spaulding Gym was Mahan’s first experience with Relay for Life.
Mahan spent the majority of the night walking around the gym with other members of the Holloway team, and by the end of the night he and some of his friends had walked about 20 miles.
William Holden, KSC junior and Sigma Phi brother, said he has participated in two KSC-hosted relays prior to this one.
“Since [I came] to Keene I’ve participated every year,” Holden explained.
“My mom had breast cancer, so that was a pretty big motivation for me,” he continued.
Holden noted that while this was his third KSC Relay for Life, it seemed as though participants were more involved this year.
“A lot more people are walking this year,” Holden noted.
He added, “There [are] great vibes and good music. It’s always a really fun time.”
Holden added, “The American Cancer Society is a great organization and Relay [for Life] is just an awesome event. I think it should be done more often. It’s definitely helping out a lot.”
In conclusion, Ha said she considered the night a success. “It was really awesome to put together an event like this — you get to meet so many different people,” Ha explained.
She continued, “Even though everyone is coming from a different place, we’re all fighting for the same cause. Relay for Life, in general, is just an awesome thing. I’ll definitely be participating until I’m a senior.”
Jill Giambruno can be contacted at jgiambruno@kscequinox.com
