Despite relocation, Relay for Life sees success

Despite the rain and relocation, Relay for Life exceeded its goal of 1,500 participants.

Moved from its original location on Franklin Field, the eighth annual Relay for Life ran successfully inside the Palestra. Opening ceremonies began at 8 p.m. Friday, kicking off the overnight walkathon that ended at around 6 a.m. Saturday morning.

“We felt that things worked out as well as they could have,” Relay Committee Co-Chairwoman and Engineering senior Shannon Ridge said. “We were worried the rain would discourage people from coming. We moved the event into the Palestra because people would be less likely to come outside to Franklin Field.”

About 1,571 participants in total in 191 teams participated in raising $87,105 so far for cancer research, according to Ridge.

She added that the exact total after the event will be calculated in the next few days. At this time last year, students had raised about $94,000.

Funds will be accepted for the 2011 pool until this August. Last year’s total approximated $100,000.

This year was also the first to have the Student Activities Council as a sponsor, which contributed $6,443 from its contingency funds for the spring semester.

SAC Chairman and College junior Vinay Rao clarified that the funds went toward hosting fundraisers, not toward the end cause.

“SAC doesn’t fund fundraising,” Rao said. “We fund avenues in which students can perform their mission, but we don’t directly donate to their mission.”

Ridge explained that costs covered by SAC will not be subtracted from Relay for Life’s fundraising total as in previous years.

The committee adapted to the location change by designating the hallways surrounding the Palestra’s basketball court as the walking route, while opening ceremonies and performances were held on the floor of the court.

Throughout the night, different student dance groups and bands performed, including Sparks, Penn Masala, Jung and the Rubbers and others. Although no tents were permitted, students brought sleeping bags and beach towels to sleep on the court floor.

Ridge added, “Many parts of having the event in the Palestra worked out well. For instance, having the bands play inside the gym was fun. The gym floor was full of people watching in their sleeping bags and later people were dancing.”

Roughly 30 teams organized fundraisers to support Relay. Various student groups set up tables along the walkway selling baked goods, promoting specific causes and organizing games.

Phi Gamma Nu returned to host another successful “Balls for Balls” campaign raising roughly $140, in which students took part in a meatball eating contest with all proceeds going toward testicular cancer research.

“It was really exciting and pumped up the atmosphere,” Phi Gamma Nu Philanthropy Chairman and Wharton junior Kuang Li said.

The football team also took advantage of the crowd by holding sign-ups for its bone marrow drive. Two hundred and fifteen students waited in line to register as potential donors.

“People are already here because they care,” football player and Wharton junior Greg Van Roten said. “Last year we got 400-plus students. It’s an environment in which people want to help.”

In another attempt to raise money, the Relay Committee sold best-selling T-shirts from past relays, along with this year’s new design — a T-shirt reading “I put out,” referring to the dangers of smoking.

Student teams tried not to allow the relocation to spoil the atmosphere, though not all decided to spend the night.

Women’s Club Ultimate Frisbee player and Nursing junior Lauren Olsen said her team would “stay as long as we can if the tables are still out.”

“I’m not sleeping over, but maybe if it was outside more guys would have come,” Sigma Alpha Epsilon team member and College freshman Drew Meyers said. “But it’s definitely cool seeing everyone and all my friends working for such a great cause.”

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