One participant's aunt has terminal cancer. She has three more weeks to live. Another participant had leukemia at age three. Together they are working to find a cure for cancer.
Colleges Against Cancer at Penn is sponsoring the fifth annual Relay for Life event. The relay runs from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on April 4-5. Last night, the organization celebrated the upcoming event with pizza, balloons and enthusiasm.
The co-chairs of the event, seniors Tracy Drossman, Betsy Harbison and Kristen Giacobbe, urged all Penn students, staff and faculty to get involved with the relay. Students can join an existing team, become a team captain or simply volunteer at the event.
This year, the coordinators hope to attract 2,000 participants and raise $200,000 for the American Cancer Society. This is a significant increase in both funds and people from previous years.
"[Relay for Life] has grown to such immense proportions," Alumni chair and 2007 Penn graduate Corey Hulse said.
Relay for Life is a national event that takes place in communities across the United States. At Penn, the event is a 12-hour overnight walk at Franklin Field. Teams of eight to 15 people participate in games, eat food and enjoy entertainment. At least one person from each team is walking along the track all night.
Cancer survivors begin the event with the "Survivor's Lap." Later on, tribute is paid to those who passed away from cancer during the Ceremony of Hope. Lighted bags, or luminaria, spell out the word "hope" in the stands of the stadium. "It's definitely the most serious part [of the event]," Giacobbe said.
"I can't get through the . ceremony without crying," said senior Kelsey Arneson. "It's a way of remembering my grandmother."
Many participants relay for lost loved ones. College sophomore Morgan Roper lost her father and grandmother to cancer. "I'm personally determined to help find a cure," she said.
Last year's event activities included pie-eating contests, Quizzo, Guitar Hero and performances by an a capella group. This year, the organization hopes to incorporate new festivities like karaoke.
Giacobbe said, "[The Relay serves as] a reminder that we've come so far; but, we are still losing people to cancer. We have a long fight ahead of us."
