Cancer is considered a leading health concern worldwide, and Fairfield students have an opportunity to help bring about a cure for the disease.

There are over 120 participants registered online and over 100 are expected to stop by throughout the 12-hour Relay For Life to be held this weekend to aid American Cancer Society initiatives.

“Twelve hours is a small price to pay compared to those who have struggled with cancer,” said Megan Steel ’08, president of Colleges Against Cancer and co-chair of Fairfield’s Relay For Life.

Fairfield’s Relay For Life: College Edition will be held on April 27-28 from 5 p.m.-5 a.m. in Alumni Hall. The event will be headed by Colleges Against Cancer and FUSA.

The main purpose of the event is to celebrate survivors and to initiate real change in the search for a cure, signified by having the event last overnight.

“The first afternoon symbolizes life before cancer,” said Steel. “Then the fight against cancer is signified as evening falls and darkness sets in. Hope is symbolized as dawn arrives and the sun comes up, which is illustrative of survivors entering remission.”

Throughout New England, there will be more than 200 relays in 2007, each celebrating survivorship and raising funds for the American Cancer Society.

“It is really exciting because it is Fairfield University’s first Relay For Life and I think we will have a good turnout,” said Denise LiGreci ’09.

A track will be created at Alumni Hall, and one member from each team will be walking at all times. The check-in for the event begins at 5 p.m. and the walking will commence at 7:30 p.m.

“Twelve of my friends and I formed a team and we called ourselves Tackle Cancer,” said LiGreci. “We’re going to wear football jerseys and black eye makeup.”

The opening ceremony will feature a speech from Fairfield alumna Karen Lynch, who is a breast cancer survivor. Lynch will be followed by Fairfield student survivor, David Axelrod, as well as the staff advisor for the event, Wendy Logan. State senator John McKinney is also scheduled to speak.

There will be many different activities held throughout the event to commemorate the lives of those lost and cancer’s impact on students, according to Steel.

“All of the activities were created to relate to different time periods in a student’s life,” said Steel.

Activities corresponding to healthy living will be held to represent the start of school, including skin care prevention pamphlets and information to relate to spring break.

There will also be performances from Fairfield’s Dance Team, the a capella group, The Sounds, and On the Spot Improv. The Logan Groovers and DJ International will be present as well. Yoga, karaoke and a sandcastle building contest are also scheduled.

Besides walking, Steel said other ways to get involved are to donate to silent aution and the survivors’ sashes or other fundraisers for the American Cancer Society.

Sponsors are also needed to help defray the cost of logistical needs, such as tents, lights and sound systems. Donations are necessary to provide bags and candles for luminarias, which signify those lost to cancer, to outline the track.

“Relay is a powerful event that is sure to emotionally consume everyone present,” said Steel. “The goal of Relay is to come closer to finding a cure so that no one else will have to suffer.”

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