Relay for Life kicks off a quest for hope
Jamie Mack
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News
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Purple balloons and candy littered the auditorium as the registration table greeted and invited each person to sign up to become a team leader and become even more involved in the event.
Through an informational video, each person in attendance learned that Relay for Life is an event that is put on through the American Cancer Society in order to raise cancer awareness and honor survivors or remember loved ones that have passed away.
The video invited everyone to "take a step back and think about the people there," instead of just focusing on you as an individual. Relay strives to celebrate life and gain strength through hope and community.
"My grandfather died of prostate cancer after he struggled for a few years, and since he passed I feel as a college student, a good way to spread hope and inspiration is by Relay," said Whitney Hull, sophomore treasurer and survivorship chairperson.
During the kick off, a demonstration of the effect of cancer truly brought the bigger picture into focus. By asking everyone to stand up and then take a seat if the following statement had an effect on each person, the relay team demonstrated that everyone in the room was in one way or another affected by cancer, whether it be a friend, family member or a personal story.
Each member of the Relay team had their own personal stories about why they participate. Some of the members shared those stories and explained the reasons they feel it's important to help make a difference.
"Becoming a team leader is sometimes scary to people," said Brittany Dye, junior chairperson for the relay team. "Just get a group of your friends together and hang out all night on the track; it's not scary at all," Dye explained about the commitment to becoming a team captain for the event.
Each person that signed up a team received a notebook filled with information and donation sheets. Each team has a goal of raising $1,000 for the American Cancer Society and can easily access and track their progress using the information Web site. There is still time to sign up a team, and it only costs a small fee of $10 due by the first team meeting on Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Li Room, located in the Student Center.
Dye feels "Relay is a way to change the image of Wittenberg and college students everywhere. We are making a difference to change the stereotypes of college students by uniting our campus for a bigger cause." If you still feel apprehensive about forming your own team there are also luminary bags that help to honor survivors or remember loved ones that have passed. A small donation can be made for the person for $10 by contacting one of the members of the relay team.
By getting involved and taking even a small role or making a donation, Wittenberg can use the power of the small knit community to truly make a difference. As Hull expressed: "It takes hope to heal," and that is exactly what Relay is seeking to do.
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