Relay for Life kicks off spring fundraising season
2 min read
UMW Relay for Life / Facebook
By ALLISON DIEHL
Relay for Life worked to raise money toward their overall goal last week through a campus-wide kickoff event that marks the start of the spring fundraising season at the University of Mary Washington. In Relay for Life every year, a number of students come together to fight cancer and raise awareness. The event is filled with love, support, hope and an equal desire to end cancer.
The kickoff week lasted from Feb. 2 through 6 and offered students the chance to learn about Relay for Life. During those days, the UMW Relay events were used to raise awareness for the organization.
On Monday, students were spotted having fun with the photo booth in the Eagle’s Nest. The following night, bingo with the Hurleys raised money by charging one dollar for game cards. All of the proceeds from bingo went to Relay. On Wednesday night, students dressed accordingly for the purple-out basketball game. The proceeds from this event went toward the overall fundraising goal as well.
To finish off the week of fundraising, students met in Monroe Hall and talked about “why they Relay.” Everyone who came to the final kickoff week event was given an Old Navy coupon for five dollars off a purchase.
Overall, the week raised $135.25 at bingo and $151.15 at the basketball game. This was the first time Relay For Life has had a kickoff week.
Many teams are created to help fundraise, and they are led by team captains. Freshman math major Marleigh Eure will be a first-time team captain for Relay in April.
“I’ve never been a team captain before, and it will be a lot of fun,” said Eure.
The main Relay for Life event in April goes throughout the night and into the morning because “cancer never sleeps,” explained James Stewart, a Relay co-chair. There will be a Relay for Life spirit week as April gets closer.
“I relay because I want the horrible disease to end, and I don’t want there to be anymore suffering,” said Stewart.
Likewise, freshman Dara Pomerantz says she is “excited for everyone to come together and fight cancer.” Pomerantz said she wants to help the people who are suffering all over the world.
Cancer affects everyone: family members, friends and even strangers. The American Cancer Society estimates about 589,430 people will die from the disease this year in the United States alone.
Students, families, and friends are welcomed to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer. Relay for Life is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on April 18 and run until 7 a.m. on April 19. The main Relay event will take place on the UMW track.
