More than 200 students, faculty and friends participated in Fairfield’s first annual Relay for Life to raise money for the American Cancer’s Society’s mission to save lives.
“We more than doubled our goal of $15,000. So, we’ve raised more than $30,000. And money keeps coming in,” said Megan Steel ’08, president of the Fairfield chapter of Colleges Against Cancer and co-chair of the event.
Relay For Life was a 12-hour event that was held in Alumni Hall from 5 p.m.-5 a.m. on April 27.
Students, faculty and friends were invited to participate by registering online prior to the event. One team member from each group was required to walk around the track at all times.
“All in all, the event exceeded my expectations, and I hope that next year’s is even better,” said Steel.
Throughout the event there were performances by the Fairfield dance team, The Sounds, which is the student a capella group, and On The Spot Improv to entertain students. There were also events held to fundraise including a silent auction.
“All of the silent auction items did really well, with the most expensive item at $230, which was a digital camera, printer and memory card,” said Steel.
The scheduled appearance by Senator McKinney, the representative of Connecticut’s 28th District, did not occur.
Over the course of the event hundreds of people walked the track inside of Alumni Hall.
The track was lined with luminaria bags, in which candles were placed, each dedicated to an individual who lost his/her life to cancer.
“The luminaria ceremony was emotional but inspiring,” said Steel.
Lauren Callahan ’08, a member of the Student Advisor Athletic Counsel (SAAC) organized over 90 athletes to help out at the event.
“Word spread and people came,” said Callahan. “I felt the event was really rewarding to honor fellow classmates who are cancer survivors.”
“Throughout this event we were able to see what the University can do,” said Callahan.
Steel said she is very enthusiastic and optimistic about next year’s Relay for Life.
“My personal goal for the entire event would be over $50,000. And I think with the whole-hearted support from the student body, and the faculty, the event could smash the record books as the most profitable non-profit charity event in Fairfield University history,” said Steele.
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