Relay for Life Commitee Continues to Plan Walk-a-Thon

By: Nicole Chevrette
Posted In: News

The Relay for Life, a 24-hour walk-a-thon event, is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser. The Circle K club at Salve Regina will be hosting the 3rd annual Relay at Salve Regina from 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, for the full 24 hours on the Wakehurst Student Center grounds.

Planning for this event began when students returned to campus in September. A committee was chosen to keep things running smoothly. Different committee members are in charge of team recruitment, food, entertainment, corporate sponsorship, public relations, survivors, luminaries, volunteers and other aspects of the event.

This committee meets every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Rodgers Recreation Center, the same time as Circle K’s weekly meetings. Although the club and event are separate, most students who are involved participate in both.

As the date for the Relay draws closer, tables in Miley and O’Hare have advertised cancer facts, contact information and how to participate in the Relay for Life.

Posters have appeared on campus, and faculty and staff received press kits about the event. The steering committee has worked with the staff in the Public Affairs office to send press releases to local newspapers and other media outlets. Circle K and the Relay for Life committee are hoping that all of this will generate a buzz on campus, and that students will want to participate.

In each of the past two years, the Relay for Life at Salve Regina has raised about $11,000 for cancer research and treatment. Anyone who wishes to help this year’s event reach and exceed that goal can help in the following ways:
-Purchase a luminary, which will be placed along the walking path in remembrance of cancer victims and survivors for $10.00
-Join a team and participate! Registration is $10.00, and teams compete to see who can raise the most money
-Make a donation
-Join the Relay for Life volunteers (this also counts toward required service hours)

Walking the track as part of a team will not count for required community service hours this year, but for those interested, there are volunteer positions open. There will also be free food and entertainment for the entire 24-hour event.

The Wakehurst student center will be open for participants to use to warm up and for restrooms. Participants are invited to set up tents on the front lawn of Wakehurst to provide sleeping space for team members during the walk-a-thon. Participants are also encouraged to choose a theme and decorate their campsites.

For those interested in volunteer positions or for more information about any aspect of Relay for Life, please visit www.acsevents.org/relay/RIsalveregina or email salvecirclek@yahoo.com. Please feel free to attend meetings, every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room at Rodgers Recreation Center.