Fairfield University’s Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) is hosting its second annual Relay for Life on Friday, April 25th to Saturday, April 26th.
With an original fund-raising goal of $15,000 doubling last year, Fairfield’s CAC hopes to raise $50,000 in 2008.
The event will start at the Birkenstock Fieldhouse, better known as the RecPlex, at 5 p.m. on Friday and end at 5 a.m. on Saturday. This year’s theme is cruising and the motto is “S.S. Hope Floats.”
The event provides opportunity to educate the University community on cancer prevention techniques as well as to allow the community to honor cancer survivors and remember the friends and family they have lost.
About 200 people are already registered as participants of the event. Megan Steel ’08, president of the Fairfield chapter of Colleges Against Cancer, expects 300 to 400 people to participate this year.
“Relay for Life is an overnight team event in which participants raise money for cancer research, cancer education prevention programs, advocacy and survivor coping programs,” Steel said.
In addition, the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) newest mission is to increase the amount of funding for individuals without insurance to get cancer treatment. Steel says it’s an unfortunate reality that many people die of cancer because they cannot afford treatment.
Check in for the Relay For Life will be 5 p.m., and the “Departure” to begin the event will start at 7 p.m. The University’s a capella group The Sounds will perform the national anthem. University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, will give a blessing. Other speakers include a special guest cancer survivor, Steel and Amee Tolia, the American Cancer Society representative of Wilton, Conn.
Soon after Departure, there will be a survivor lap followed by a survivor reception. The Sounds will perform at the reception. A talk will be held at the reception by Fairfield alum and cancer survivor Karen Lynch, who spoke last year’s opening ceremony at last year’s Relay For Life.
Activities throughout the evening include performances by the dance ensemble and the hip-hop team, and bands. A non-alcoholic Tiki bar, an oxygen bar, inflatables and caricaturists will also be present. Free food will be served throughout the event.
Participants can look forward to the luminaria ceremony, which will remember and honor those who lost the battle to cancer and for those who are currently fighting. The luminarias, dedicated to an individual, will designate the area where participants will walk.
Last year’s “Relay For Life: College Edition” attracted 250 people. “Within one year, we were able to do so much,” said Steel.
“In the future, I hope Fairfield will get to a goal of $100,000 with 20 teams participating and have Relay be something the entire campus can join in,” she said. Luminaria bags are being sold for $5 at the BCC Information Desk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays.
Although registration for all teams has already closed, Steel encourages students and faculty members to join already formed teams.
More information is available through ACS Relay for Life Web site
Click here to Join or by joining the Facebook group “Relay for Life 2008.”
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