Seventh annual Relay for Life kicks off

Cancer never sleeps, so on April 8 and 9, Relay for Life will ensure that Penn’s campus won’t be sleeping either.

Instead, students will be participating in an all-night celebration of the lives of cancer victims and the work of the American Cancer Society to promote awareness and work towards a cure.

The kickoff event for Relay for Life was held in Houston Hall on Friday to promote early registration. Relay for Life, which will take place on Franklin Field, had over 2,000 participants last year and raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society — making it the largest philanthropic event on Penn’s campus. This year will mark its seventh time being held at Penn.

This year, Relay for Life planners aim to outdo last year’s numbers by reaching out to more students — graduate students in particular. “We’re reaching out to graduate and medical school students and trying to incorporate a lot of different schools and groups on campus, so we can have a base of teams that support us year after year,” Recruitment Chairwoman and College senior Amy Woodrum said.

In addition to hosting the kickoff, Relay for Life members are publicizing their efforts through a promotional video called “Penn’s Purple Glove Dance,” which features dance and a cappella groups and highlights the work of different people toward the common goal of fighting cancer. According to Woodrum, the event will also be promoted online.

Another major promotional push will come from this year’s theme: Monopoly. “There will be themed fundraising decorations, and at the actual event, the Franklin Field track will represent the Monopoly board. Participants will be able to ‘buy’ properties like tents and areas of the field,” Engineering senior Shannon Ridge said.

While participants walk around the track throughout the night, the all-night celebration will include performances, competitions, food and games, including meatball and falafel-eating contests. Woodrum said the night will also feature a Luminaria ceremony, in which survivors will share their stories and then lead the crowd in a lap around the track.

Participants come from all parts of the Penn community and get involved whether or not cancer has personally affected their lives. “It’s a unique event for Penn’s campus and a great cause to rally behind,” Woodrum said.

“This is my favorite event — it really draws from the entire community,” Ridge added.

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