Gabriella Rodriguez | Staff Writer
Relay For Life will be returning to Salve Regina’s campus for a second year in a row this Sunday, October 18th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The first annual Relay was held in 1986 at the Stadium Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, and since then it has raised nearly $5 billion in fundraising. It is now an American Cancer Society event held in various locations across the nation and globe. The money raised by Relay goes towards funding cancer treatments, providing transportation for cancer patients from their homes to local treatment centers, and researching to find a cure.
Sponsored by the Student Nursing Organization, Salve Regina’s Relay For Life was first held in October of 2014, and raised $12,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year the event’s organizers hope to do even better and raise $15,000.
The event will be held on the Wakehurst lawn and will feature a superhero theme in honor of those who have fought against cancer or are fighting now. A track will be arranged around the outside of the lawn for participants to walk on, and tables will be set up along the track for teams to fundraise throughout the day. Sister Jane Gerety, President of the University, and Barbara LoMonaco, the Vice President for Student Affairs, will speak at the event’s opening ceremony. Survivors that have beaten cancer will be the first to walk around the track during a Survivor’s Lap following the opening ceremony, cheered on by the other participants in an emotional and moving moment.
Once the Survivor’s Lap is over, the track is opened for everyone else to begin walking. Since cancer never rests, it is suggested that at least one person per Relay team be walking the track at all times. Participants walking around the track can partake in the various fundraisers being held, such as purchasing handmade jewelry, or treats from bake sales. The fundraising proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society.
There will be an abundance of fun events and activities for participants to take part in at the Relay, such as bean bag toss and other lawn games, pick-up sports games, and an inflatable Wipe Out obstacle course. WSRU and the Salve Improv group will be present, in addition to live music performed by local bands and Salve’s female a cappella group, Pitches with Attitude.
All participants have free access to the lawn games, the obstacle course, and various other activities. Free pizza, salad, soda, and other food and drink will be supplied to participants as well. There will be an ice cream sundae bar, available at the small price of a $1 donation.
A fundraiser called the “Buzz-Off” was a wild success at the 2014 Relay, and will be returning to this year’s event. Participants can volunteer to have their heads shaved and be sponsored in money donations by friends and family to do so. Similarly, Relay has partnered up with the Pantene Beautiful Lengths project. Participants can donate 8 inches of their hair to Pantene to help make wigs for patients undergoing cancer treatment. A professional hair stylist will be present to perform haircuts.
At 11:45 a.m., a complimentary luncheon will be provided to the survivors and their caregivers.
Throughout the day’s events participants can enter into a raffle for a chance to win. Prizes include but are not limited to a gift card to Stop and Shop, a gift card to China Star, a gift card to Star Nails, and a 2-hour rental for two people at the Kayak Centre.
It’s well worth it to stay for the entire day’s events, as a beautiful Luminaria Ceremony is held after sunset. During the day participants can purchase a Luminaria bag for just $5 in memory of a loved one who has passed from cancer, or in honor of a survivor or someone who is currently fighting. Participants can decorate the bags, and then during the ceremony the bags are arranged along the track with candles lit inside.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to sign up and participate. Students can earn community service hours by participating in the event, and it is an incredibly rewarding and fun experience. Those who participate know that they’re helping out a great cause and that they’re helping to better the lives of those fighting cancer.
Anyone interested in participating in Salve’s Relay for Life can sign up at http://relayforlife.org/salveregina by starting a new team or joining an existing one. Those who register must check-in at the registration tent located inside the Relay track to receive a wristband. This wristband will give participants access to complimentary food and drink, free access to the obstacle course, and more. Those who haven’t signed up can pay for the food and activities separately, or register the day of the event at the registration tent. Committee members will be present at the event with the American Cancer Society fundraising app, where you can confidentially enter your information and make a donation. There is also an ATM located inside Wakehurst.
Relay For Life is still a new event to Salve’s campus, and taking part will help it to grow and flourish in the years to come. The handful of Salve students working hard to bring this event to campus hope that it will become a successful event which brings the Salve community closer together as a whole. Make your own mark on campus, and come attend Salve Regina’s second annual Relay For Life.
