Relay for Life raises campus-wide cancer awareness

The University of Richmond raised $27,476 Friday for its sixth annual Relay for Life, a national American Cancer Society fundraiser for cancer research.

A colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Wash., began Relay for Life in 1985, and it now brings together more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities across the United States and 20 other countries. Together, the organization raises funds and awareness to save lives from cancer, according to Relay's website, relayforlife.org.

Thirty-seven teams and 394 people participated, an increase from past years, Krystal Mircovich, this year's event chairwoman, said. She said the committee members' publicity of the "Cirque du Relay" themed event had helped draw more participants.

The relay was held from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness.

The night began with a survivor dinner, held for cancer survivors from the community and people who had raised more than $100 for the cause. Following the survivor dinner was the opening ceremony. Speakers included deans Boehman and Landphair, and Jackie O'Daly, a Richmond senior and cancer survivor.

The first lap of Relay was a survivors' lap, where seven survivors walked while people cheered from the sidelines. After this opening lap, all Relay participants were welcome to join.

Judy Hodges, a five-year cancer survivor, walked the survivors' lap. Her daughter, Meg Hodges, was Richmond's Relay for Life staff partner this year. Judy Hodges said her frustration toward her health insurance had led her back to school, and she is now a senior at the University of Richmond.

"My health insurance was so poor that I had a $25,000 cap," Hodges said. "My total bill was $147,000, so I ended up stuck with a $122,000 bill. I've decided that is wrong, so I've come back to school and am getting a degree in accounting. I want to work in health care reform. So that's what cancer did for me."

One member from each team was required to walk at all times, in accordance with the Relay slogan: "Cancer never sleeps. Neither do we." Relay participants added a bead to a string for every lap they walked.

Between laps, participants played carnival games and competed in activities, including a cornhole tournament and pie-eating contest. Raffle tickets were sold and prizes included gift cards, Y-Lot parking passes, Xbox games and a 2012 Jeep Wrangler.

Junior Brian Stellingwerf, a Relay co-chair, said the luminaria ceremony was his favorite part of Relay.

During this ceremony, people wore glowstick bracelets if someone they knew had been affected by cancer. The crowd walked the Weinstein Center track in silence, while luminarias that spelled out "hope" glowed from below. Each luminaria was dedicated to someone lost to cancer or a survivor.

"It shows you by the time the ceremony is finished that everybody in here has been affected by cancer," Stellingwerf said. "It's really powerful."

Lindsey Templeton, the president of Delta Delta Delta, said that Relay's mission had resonated with her because of its connection to her sorority's philanthropy.

"I came to support because my sorority's philanthropy is St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," Templeton said, "so I am actively involved in supporting cancer research."

The goal had been to raise $35,000, Mircovich said. She said she had intentionally set the goal high and was still incredibly proud of the amount raised. The top fundraising team was Pi Beta Phi, which raised $6,095. Emily Shuman, the head of Pi Phi's relay team, said the sorority had relied on emailing friends and family to raise money.

"Cancer has affected people in my life," Shuman said, "but my story is really not unique."

Relay is accepting donations until Aug. 31. Stellingwerf, who raised $855 and was the third highest fundraiser, said fundraising was as easy as sending emails to family and friends.

Contact reporter Jenna Robinson at jenna.robinson@richmond.edu