“One person can make a difference.” This phrase, frequently uttered to encourage donating pocket change to volunteering for local organizations, takes on new life as a tag line for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Capital students have an opportunity to make a difference by participation in the annual event and are stepping up in full force.
Relay for Life celebrates cancer survivors, remembers those who have lost their lives, and fights back against cancer all in the span of 18 hours.
It is set up in the form of a relay that lasts from noon on day until 6 a.m. the next day, with various different teams walking the track throughout the event.
Capital’s relay will take place Saturday, March 24 through Sunday, March 25 in the Cap Center.
Each team raises money to support the fight against cancer, which all goes to the American Cancer Society. Capital has 20 teams signed up to participate and they have raised $5,529 thus far. The committee also raised about $1,000 through pink week earlier in the year.
There are various events planned to keep participants motivated and moving throughout the event. Some of these events are promoted by the official Relay for Life organization, while others are planned by organizations and teams at Capital.
Some of the events that are similar for all Relay events are the opening and closing ceremonies, luminaria ceremony, and survivor lap. The survivor lap celebrates individuals who have battled cancer and survived, and survivors are always welcome to walk with the teams.
The luminaria ceremony takes place after dark and honors individuals who were lost to the disease.
Other activities that will take place during relay at Capital are the team lap, Miss Relay high heel race, 80’s power lap, Zumba fitness class, silent auction, and a Quidditch match.
There will also be a DJ, cartoon caricatures, food and games, themed laps and various performances by different groups.
Relay at Capital is put on by Colleges Against Cancer, and has two co-chairs, junior Carrie Moenter and sophomore Erik Morris.
They are assisted by Tony Collier, a staff partner from the American Cancer Society. Teams can sign up for the event as late as Saturday and one member from each team must be walking the track at all times.
