Turn out low, but spirits high at Salve’s Relay for Life

By: Elizabeth Bartek
Posted In: News

Last weekend, the Salve Regina community committed itself to fighting cancer. Though turn out for the 3rd Annual Relay for Life was less than expected, those that attended the 24-hour walk-a-thon raised enough money to make a difference for cancer patients and survivors.

The Relay was held on the grounds of Salve Regina’s Wakehurst Student Center, beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and continuing on through Saturday afternoon. More than $4,200 was raised, with a few donations made after the closing ceremony on Saturday.

Nicole Chevrette, the Public Relations coordinator of the event and a junior at Salve Regina, was pleased with the outcome of the event. A total of 119 people walked in the event, and teams included members of the Student Government Association, Circle K, and SAILS.

“The event was wonderful,” said Chevrette. “The turnout was significantly less than it was last year, but we had a much higher rate of people staying the entire event and really getting into it.”

Last year, a number of first year students participated in the event to complete their community service hours. After students completed their ten hours, they left the event. The Relay for Life coordinators felt this was problematic and changed the volunteer participation accordingly. Coordinators did expect a lower turn out for this reason, but they were still pleased with the overall turnout.

Maryann Belason, a junior at Salve and a tri-chair of the event, was also happy with the event turnout.

“I was excited about the enthusiasm the participants had,” she said.

Both Chevrette and Belason already have ideas for next year. They hope to encourage more people to participate and to raise more money.

“I was a little disappointed that we didn’t raise as much money as we hoped to,” said Belason. She then went on to say that every little bit does help though, and there is always more to be done.

Belason also discussed the possibility of changing the now 24-hour event to an 18-hour event. She believes that will entice more people to attend.

Chevrette also has a higher participation rate in mind for next year’s relay.

“We are looking to start recruiting aggressively very early in the school year, to give participants the opportunity to raise more money.”

The Relay for Life at Salve Regina is the first of its kind on a college campus in New England. Working closely with the American Cancer Society, Salve Regina has raised over $15,000 in the three years it has been hosting the walk-a-thon. Planning for next year’s Relay will start in September, though the fight against cancer will always continue.