Last night, Pennchants, one of Penn's all-male a cappella groups, opened the Relay for Life Kickoff with a rendition of "Don't Stop Believing," vocalizing this year's theme: "Fighting Cancer is a Journey ... Don't Stop Believing."
The Relay for Life Kickoff took place in Houston Hall's Hall of Flags at 7 p.m. Relay for Life is an annual 12-hour event during which teams raise money for cancer research by walking all night, signifying that cancer does not sleep. The program will include food, entertainment, activities and prizes. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.
Until now, the Kickoff has been held in Huntsman Hall, but was moved to Houston Hall this year in order to facilitate a greater variety of activities. The event featured performances by a cappella groups PennSix and Off the Beat. The program also included a presentation by Relay for Life board members about the importance and history of the tradition and a speech by cancer survivor and Engineering senior Kevin Rakszawki.
Relay for Life is chaired by cancer survivors Engineering senior Allison Capone and College senior Michelle Parisi. Parisi has been involved with Relay for Life since her freshman year.
"The event reminds me every day how thankful I am to be here and how much work still needs to be done to fight the disease," said Parisi, whose leukemia has been in remission for 16 years.
When the event - in its 25th year nationally - began at Penn in 2004, there were only 50 participants, and the event raised $5,000.
Since then, support for the event has sky-rocketed, and last year Penn's Relay for Life raised $178,000 and included 1,800 participants.
In recognition of the event's success last year, Penn received awards for being among the top 10 online fundraising universities for Relay for Life and for raising more money than any other organization in Pennsylvania.
This year, Relay for Life hopes to raise even more money with a goal of $225,000. The walk will take place on Friday, March 27 on Franklin Field.
For more information or to register for the event, visit the Penn Relay for Life Web site at relayatpenn.org.
