Relay Combines Fun and Fund-Raising

The University of Cincinnati’s first Relay for Life fund-raiser brought in more than $12,000 for the American Cancer Society. The relay was held April 18-19 on Sigma Sigma Commons. From evening Friday through noon Saturday, Sigma Sigma Commons was packed with walkers, events and enthusiasm to keep the momentum going to raise the money to fight cancer.

“Today is a celebration of your support in the fight against cancer,” UC Relay chair and senior communication major Rose Dizon said, as the walkers were called to the starting point of the relay. “Thank you, everyone, for coming to UC’s first Relay for Life.”

Just before the kickoff Dr. Samuel Blackman, an American Cancer Society funded researcher at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, addressed the crowd of participants, saying the funding has made a huge impact on his ability to research the causes of childhood leukemia. He added that the research into how cancer starts, grows and spreads is an extraordinary challenge that requires time, hard work and funding such as the support from Relay for Life.

The ROTC color guard and four members of the Colerain High School chorus, Kristyn McCullah, Kate Rives, Kathleen Kohus and Brandi Grow, performed the national anthem before the crowd applauded the cancer survivors who walked the first lap of the relay.

More than 15 teams spent the night on Sigma Sigma Commons, setting up tents and their own little fund-raising events for the American Cancer Society. One team even brought a ping pong table, opening play for a donation. Approximately 180 people particpated in the UC Relay for Life.

“Disney is our thing,” said Abbey Yee, a mechanical engineering major, who walked with fellow majors and teammates Sarah Jones and Julie Evans. Yee is currently working a Co-op in Minnesota, but was able to participate in the fund-raiser because she was back in town for Easter weekend.

Teams represented colleges, departments and student organizations including service-based organizations, campus ministries, Greek social organizations and honoraries.

Some passers by signed up for Relay for Life on the spot. UC student Mark Attwood volunteered to assist Relay organizers on some of the overnight events after walking by Sigma Sigma Commons and stopping to check out the activity.

Overnight activities included line dancing lessons from UC communication senior Sarah Scott, director of the Blaze Dance Team. The team has performed at events around Cincinnati, including the Cincinnati Cyclones and at Newport on the Levee. “That was awesome,” said Dizon. “Everyone on the track was doing the electric slide.” Dizon hosted the Karaoke American Idol contest at 5 a.m. An entry from campus security swept the talent competition.

Dizon says the UC College of Pharmacy raised more than $2,700, the highest amount raised by a team for the UC relay. That team also had a member who was the single person who raised the most donations – pharmacy student Colleen Garlik raised $1,770 for the UC Relay for Life.

Nationwide, Relay for Life events raised $243 million last year for cancer research, education, advocacy and service. The goal for 2003 is to raise $291 million.