Relay for Life: A walk to remember, not just to cure
Kristen Howell
Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: News
People walk to buy groceries, to lose weight, and sometimes even just to give their dog some exercise (I'm talking to you two, Beth Sharb and Mr. Munch).
But on March 26 and 27, 19 groups of Capital students will be walking for something greater--a cure.
"Relay for Life is the world's largest movement to end cancer," Robert Paschen, Public Relations Director for the Central Ohio Region of the American Cancer Society, said.
"There are thousands of teams throughout the United States, as well as in 19 other countries."
The event will take place in the Cap Center from 9 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Saturday.
For those students who are put off by the idea of 18 hours of continuous physical activity, there is no need to worry.
Each team is required to have only one representative on the track at any given time, so altruistic couch potatoes campus-wide rejoice!
In addition to the exercise, there will be food, games, and entertainment for the entire 18 hours.
But what is the reasoning behind an 18 hour event?
It takes place overnight because the event symbolizes the cancer journey itself. It starts in the daytime, which represents a person's normal life.
"Then a person is diagnosed with the disease," Paschen said. "They must go through the darkness, the pain and suffering of chemotherapy. And then, recovery. The person has once again made it to daytime."
Last year was Capital's first attempt to work with this worldwide organization when Brooke Apple, a current sophomore, decided to form a committee.
Caite Turner, junior, and Jenna Hilty, sophomore, head this organization as co-chairs alongside Apple. Sam Jones, junior, is the accountant; Jordan Koch, senior, is the head of recruitment and Annie DeChelis, sophomore, is the sponsorship chair.
Although Relay for Life is the group's headlining event, they stress the importance of continuing to spread cancer awareness throughout the year.
The group started out with a kickoff party at the beginning of the school year in order to let students know what their organization is about.
After Relay for Life, the group hosts a dodge ball tournament. They are responsible for the "Save Second Base" T-shirts that many students wear throughout campus. They also sell luminatas in support of the fight for cancer and in remembrance of those that have lost their lives in the battle.
"Cancer touches the lives of just about everyone in some way," Turner said. "I've seen one of my closest friends lose a mom and witnessed the heartache that she went through. By keeping the awareness present, you keep the memory of those that have passed on in your heart."
"Almost everyone has known someone who has heard the words, 'You have cancer,'" Apple said. "People should come to the relay to have fun with fellow college students by walking, jamming to music, different contests, and having a reason to stay up all night that isn't school related."
By Kristen Howell
Editorial staff
khowell2@capital.edu
But on March 26 and 27, 19 groups of Capital students will be walking for something greater--a cure.
"Relay for Life is the world's largest movement to end cancer," Robert Paschen, Public Relations Director for the Central Ohio Region of the American Cancer Society, said.
"There are thousands of teams throughout the United States, as well as in 19 other countries."
The event will take place in the Cap Center from 9 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Saturday.
For those students who are put off by the idea of 18 hours of continuous physical activity, there is no need to worry.
Each team is required to have only one representative on the track at any given time, so altruistic couch potatoes campus-wide rejoice!
In addition to the exercise, there will be food, games, and entertainment for the entire 18 hours.
But what is the reasoning behind an 18 hour event?
It takes place overnight because the event symbolizes the cancer journey itself. It starts in the daytime, which represents a person's normal life.
"Then a person is diagnosed with the disease," Paschen said. "They must go through the darkness, the pain and suffering of chemotherapy. And then, recovery. The person has once again made it to daytime."
Last year was Capital's first attempt to work with this worldwide organization when Brooke Apple, a current sophomore, decided to form a committee.
Caite Turner, junior, and Jenna Hilty, sophomore, head this organization as co-chairs alongside Apple. Sam Jones, junior, is the accountant; Jordan Koch, senior, is the head of recruitment and Annie DeChelis, sophomore, is the sponsorship chair.
Although Relay for Life is the group's headlining event, they stress the importance of continuing to spread cancer awareness throughout the year.
The group started out with a kickoff party at the beginning of the school year in order to let students know what their organization is about.
After Relay for Life, the group hosts a dodge ball tournament. They are responsible for the "Save Second Base" T-shirts that many students wear throughout campus. They also sell luminatas in support of the fight for cancer and in remembrance of those that have lost their lives in the battle.
"Cancer touches the lives of just about everyone in some way," Turner said. "I've seen one of my closest friends lose a mom and witnessed the heartache that she went through. By keeping the awareness present, you keep the memory of those that have passed on in your heart."
"Almost everyone has known someone who has heard the words, 'You have cancer,'" Apple said. "People should come to the relay to have fun with fellow college students by walking, jamming to music, different contests, and having a reason to stay up all night that isn't school related."
By Kristen Howell
Editorial staff
khowell2@capital.edu
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