QUINTIN JAMES
Assistant Sports Editor
On Saturday, April 21, the organization Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) and the Office of Voluntary and Community Services conducted the annual Relay for Life event in Steele Hall. Relay for Life is an event that lasts from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. The walk is to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Individual students or groups on campus are allowed to sign up online to participate and pay a fee that goes towards fighting cancer.
Co-presidents of Colleges Against Cancer, Sabrina Horn and Taylor Chwalinksi, who have been part of the group since sophomore and freshman year respectively, talked about the process of setting up this event up.
“I try and contact people in sports, clubs and other members to register people for the event. I also supervise the day of Relay and bring performers in,” said Chwalinksi.
“I make the schedules, email the groups, and set up games for the event,” said Horn.
Both members have known people affected by cancer, and this event is very important to the both of them.
“My high school friend passed away from cancer. Money also goes to transportation for families [and other] expensives. $100 can help 10 patients,” said Horn.
“I have family members and friends affected by it so this event means a lot for me. At the college level, for kids to spend their whole Saturday to come and raise money for a good cause is a crazy feeling,” said Chwalinksi.
Some of the activities during Relay for Life include Capture the Flag and scavenger hunts that keep the participants engaged during the 12 hour event.
“There are raffle baskets, donations from people in the community, and a fight back ceremony [celebrating those who lost their life to cancer],” said Horn.
Each hour brings a different stage in the event meant to uplift everyone and keep people active.
“Every 30 minutes there’s a performance, music or a ceremony so we’re never really sitting down,” said Chwalinksi.
“It’s not hard for the E-board but, for the participants, I recommend lots of coffee.”
Fundraising an event like this takes a lot of work, but the E-board of CAC do their best to spread the word by social media and word of mouth.
As of April 17, College Against Cancer had raised $10,777 of their $15,000 goal and have been getting a steady contribution from many different groups and individuals.