Relay for Life to celebrate 10th anniversary at Lehigh

Relay For Life, a nationwide movement dedicated to celebrating survivorship, remembering loved ones and fighting back against cancer, is celebrating its 10th anniversary at Lehigh and 30th anniversary nationwide.

At Lehigh, Relay For Life is organized by Colleges Against Cancer—a Lehigh organization that works directly with the American Cancer Society. The students involved in Colleges Against Cancer work to promote advocacy, mission and survivorship through their involvement with the organization and Relay For Life. This year’s Relay For Life will be held in Grace Hall on March 27.

Building off last year’s relay, the CAC executive board has made changes to improve the event. This year’s monetary goal is $60,000, which was adjusted from last year’s goal of $65,000 after falling short of the desired amount. So far, Relay For Life has raised just under $14,000.

CAC is also hoping to raise awareness around campus with a goal of 1,000 participants and 55 teams—so far, 270 people are registered. Last year, the organization is challenging every participant to raise at least $100 with the incentive of being inducted into the Hope Club—a membership that is awarded with a free 2015 commemorative Relay For Life T-shirt.

Aside from monetary goals, CAC also wants to expand its campus reach. Caroline Heitmiller, ’14, CAC’s team development chair, is determined to reach a wider network of Lehigh students. Heitmiller said that year after year, Relay For Life is largely populated by students in Greek life.

“Slowly we’ve been building interest here and there with other clubs and organizations on campus,” Heitmiller said. “It’s hard because this is the first year that we’ve reached out to other organizations besides Greek life.”

To further incentivize for campus-wide involvement, CAC has shortened the length of the overall event. In previous years, Relay For Life ran for 15 hours. This year, to accommodate the Lehigh culture and raise attendance, the event will run from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.—only 12 hours.

“It is not unrealistic for a Lehigh student to be out until 3 a.m. on a Friday night,” Heitmiller said. “Hopefully by shortening it more people will stay for the entirety of the event—from opening ceremony to closing ceremony. That’s always been a big issue for us.”

Pushing for a larger event and raising awareness for cancer research is at the forefront for co-president Katherine Hamilton, ’15, as she is coming up on her last relay at Lehigh.

“I want relay to be bigger and better than ever before,” she said.

Hamilton believes that attending an event like Relay For Life is important for every student at Lehigh.

“It gives a sense of campus unity,” Hamilton said. “I think cancer is something everyone is affected by. Even if you don’t know someone personally that has had cancer, you might know someone in the future or your best friend might be affected. Everyone can relate.”

CAC also held its annual Relay for Life Kickoff event Wednesday in Packard 101. The main purpose of the event was to inform students about Relay for Life at Lehigh, as well as to get them excited for the event. Students were able to sign up for a team and learn more about the event. Shannon Snow, a resident of Lehigh Valley, also shared her story of surviving cancer with those in attendance.

Hamilton said another important part of the kickoff event was informing people about the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network — an organization that encourages members to lobby the government for more money for cancer research.

“The government is the biggest provider of money for cancer research and American Cancer Society is second,” Hamilton said. “That’s why it is so important to be a member of ACS CAN.”

Hamilton said members often send letters to government officials encouraging them to donate more money.

ACS CAN also organizes campaigns aimed at creating governmental change, such as “Why Tax Free.” This campaign’s main goal was to inform Pennsylvania residents that non-cigarette tobacco products is still untaxed in the state. Another past ACS CAN campaign was aimed at trying to make age limits on tanning booths.

CAC hopes to make an impact on each and every relay participant through activities, speakers and ceremonies held throughout the event.

Tamara Huson,’15, co-president and Relay For Life event chair, is planning her seventh and final Relay for Life. Her favorite part of the event is called the Luminaire Ceremony.

“The Luminaire Ceremony is also called the Remember Ceremony,” Huson said. “We remember all those we’ve lost to cancer, those who are still fighting and those who have survived. It’s definitely the emotional part of the night.”

To keep the event lively, the audience engaged and to commemorate Relay For Life’s 10th anniversary, the event will be birthday themed. Students should plan for cupcakes, a cake decorating contest and team birthday games.

For more information and to sign up for the event, visit relayforlife.org/palehighuniversity