NEW HAVEN–This past weekend, the UNH community took a great step in helping with the fight against cancer. Over 100 members of the UNH community took part in the SCSU/UNH Relay for Life at Southern Connecticut State University Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The UNH Relay Committee has been working since the end of last year to plan this event. They began working with the SCSU Relay Committee at the end of last semester to unite in the fight against cancer.
The night opened with an introduction by the SCSU Committee Chair and our very own Scott Kazar. There was also a cancer survivor who spoke at the opening and told his own personal story and his belief that our generation will eliminate cancer as a major health threat.
Throughout the night there were many activities meant to keep everyone awake. There was a dance-off competition, a talent show and a karaoke segment of the night. The movies Cool Runnings and Forest Gump were also shown.
The basic idea of Relay for Life is for teams of people to come together in an effort to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. One person from each team should be walking around the track at all times.
The walking opened with a survivor/caretaker lap and then every team walked together. Some teams made banners showing their unity.
There was also a luminary presentation during which the words “HOPE” and “CURE” were spelled out on the bleachers and the luminary that were decorated for survivors and victims of cancer were set up around the track. Walkers paid their respects to the victims and took the time to remember their lives and hope for a future without cancer.
I would personally like to thank everyone who took part in the Relay. Thank you to everyone who sponsored a team and fundraised. Thank you to Kappa Gamma Rho for saving our karaoke segment by letting us use their system and thank you to the 5,6,7,8 Dance Team for donating cookies that everyone enjoyed during the movies.
When all was said and done there were over 60 teams who participated in the event. United, we raised over $15,000 for the American Cancer Society and the fight against cancer.
