Relay for Life returning to Indoor Activity Center this weekend; goal of $50,000 almost met
Students will walk the track in the Indoor Athletic Complex to raise money to fight cancer as part of Relay for Life from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday.
This year, Relay for Life, the signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, has a goal to raise $50,000. As of Thursday afternoon, Relay for Life was close, with $48,886 raised by 73 registered teams made up of 840 participants. The top fundraising team is Larzelere Residence Hall, followed by Merrill Hall Council and the Health Professions Residential College.
“It's jam-packed with activities, performers, games, prizes, food, etc. for the whole 24 hours,” said Brianna Reuter, a senior from Clarkston. “I want people to know they can stop in and out whenever — there is no charge to get in, and they don't have to be registered on a team in order to get in. It's just a 24-hour party and all are welcome.”
In addition to the 840 registered participants, 1,500 more students are expected to stop in throughout the night, said Kristen Adams, CMU alumna from Lansing and community representative for the American Cancer Society.
“We have entertainment planned all night, including On the Rox, Fish n' Chips, Matt Moore, a professional Hawaiian luau troop, a punt, pass and kick contest, Fear Factor and more,” Adams said.
The event will start off with University President George Ross leading the first lap during the opening ceremony. At noon, a survivor ceremony will allow participates to honor all the survivors of cancer and will include a survivor lap. Later in the event, there will be a luminaria ceremony to honor those who lost their lives to cancer.
“This (luminaria) ceremony is the most emotional, because nearly everyone can say they have been touched by this disease,” Reuter said.
Finally, there will be a fight back ceremony, where participates will promise to continue spreading awareness about cancer and the lifestyle changes that can be made to prevent it.
