By Gabriella Rodriquez | Staff Writer
Salve Regina’s third annual Relay For Life will be returning Saturday, October 15th from 12 PM to 7 PM.
Thirty years ago, the first ever Relay For Life was held in Tacoma, Washington; since then the event has swept the country and is held in countless locations every year, raising over $5 billion since 1986. The funds raised by Relay For Life support the mission of the American Cancer Society by helping people stay well through prevention and early detection, get well once diagnosed through a variety of services and programs for cancer survivors and caregivers, and find a cure for cancer via research.
Salve Regina’s Relay For Life is sponsored by the Student Nursing Organization (SNO), and was first held in October 2014. In total, Salve’s Relay has raised $24,000 for the American Cancer Society. This year the event’s organizers hope to raise at least $12,000 with the help of the Salve Regina community.
The event will be held on the Wakehurst lawn and will feature a carnival theme. Participants will be able to walk around a track arranged along the outside of the lawn, with tables set up along the track for teams to use for fundraising. Barbara LoMonaco, Vice President of Student Affairs, will be speaking at this year’s opening ceremony. President of the University, Sister Jane Gerety, will be making an encouraging speech halfway through the event. Survivors will have the opportunity to walk around the track first during the Survivor’s Lap following the opening ceremony.
After the Survivor’s Lap, the track will be opened up for all participants to begin walking. The goal is for each team to have one member walking the track at all times because, as the American Cancer Society says, “cancer patients don’t stop because they’re tired, and for one night, neither do we.” Participants walking around the track can partake in various team fundraisers, such as purchasing treats from bake sales. All fundraising proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society. A complimentary lunch will be provided to the survivors and their caregivers at 12:30 PM.
Throughout the Relay there will be an abundance of fun activities for participants to enjoy. There will be lawn and carnival games such as ladder ball and ring toss, a scavenger hunt, and Pitches with Attitude and WSRU will be performing. The Karate Club will also be putting on a demonstration, and the Sign Language Club will be performing “Sign A Song”. Participants will have access to the games, performances, and other activities with the purchase of a wristband. Complimentary snacks will be provided to all participants.
The “Buzz-Off” will be occurring at 4:00 PM. A wildly successful event at the past two Relays, participants can volunteer to have their heads shaved or their hair cut by a professional hair stylist. Participants shaving their heads or cutting their hair will fundraise in the form of money donations from friends and family. Relay For Life has partnered with Pantene Beautiful Lengths project, so that participants can donate 8 inches of their hair to help make wigs for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Throughout the event participants will have the opportunity to enter into a raffle for the chance to win various prizes, including but not limited to a $50 Dunkin Donuts gift card and a $25 Stop & Shop gift card. Raffle drawing will be at 6:00 PM.
World Skin Project will be attending the Relay in order to educate students and participants on the importance of sun safety. They will also be bringing massage therapists to the event.
A beautiful Luminaria Ceremony will be held at sunset. Throughout the day participants can purchase a Luminaria bag for $5 either in memory of a loved one who has passed from cancer, or in honor of a survivor or someone who is currently fighting. Participants may decorate their bags before they are arranged along the track with candles lit inside for a moving ceremony.
Those interested in participating in Salve Regina’s Relay For Life can sign up at http://relayforlife.org/salveregina by either creating a new team or joining an existing one. Those who register for the event must check-in at the registration tent located inside the Relay track. Participants can purchase a wristband for $5, which will give them access to Relay activities, games, and performances. Those who haven’t signed up can register the day of the event at the registration tent.
Students and faculty alike are strongly encouraged to sign up for and participate in this year’s Relay For Life. Students can earn community service hours by participating in this event, while also gaining a fun and incredibly rewarding experience.
