Last weekend, students at Wittenberg University dedicated their Saturday to raise money for cancer research at this year’s annual Relay for Life.
Relay for Life is sponsored by The American Cancer Society and gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate the lives that have survived cancer, remember those that were lost, and to fight back against cancer by raising money for the American Caner Society.
“Relay is an awesome event for the campus community to come together and celebrate the lives of those that have fought cancer and those that have passed away from cancer,” said College’s Against Cancer’s co-president senior Chelsea Remster. “By coming together to tell our own stories and to walk all night, we are remembering those lives that we have lost and raising hope that someday we will lose no one to cancer.”
This year Wittenberg’s College’s Against Cancer worked with the American Cancer Society to put together this year’s Relay for Life. The event was held at the Edwards-Maurer Field and began last Saturday at 2 p.m. and ended Sunday at 8 a.m. There were 25 teams and each had a representative on the track at all times during the event. Remster said the weather took a damper in attendance this weekend.
“We took a hit in attendance,” said Remster, “but it was still motivating to see the people that did tough out the rain and the wind to keep spirits high all night.”
The participants this year included Junior Greg Eley, who is a cancer survivor. This year was Eley’s one-year anniversary for completing chemo and beginning remission. Eley completed his last chemo session April 15, 2010.
“This event is so special to me,” said. Eley. “It means a lot to be honored by everyone and words can not express my appreciation and thanks for everyone that put on the event and honored myself, the other survivors, those still fighting, and those that we have lost.”
Students on campus believe that despite the weather, they were glad to help fight cancer.
“I would say that despite the weather, there was still a good turn out and a positive attitude,” said sophomore Audreyanna Jagger. “It was fun to just walk around the track and help fight cancer.”
Junior Matt Williams believes that Relay can definitely become a time for those that truly care about the fight against cancer.
“This weekend proved that everyone that came out truly cares about the fight against cancer and were willing to spend a few hours of their time to show that.”
(Nishant Makhija / s12.nmakhija@wittenberg.edu)
Thank you Matt, for your engery and inspiration. We are so happy to have you on the planning committee this year and can’t wait for the next Caching For a Cure event!