NSU’s Relay for Life invites students, faculty, staff and community members to form or join teams and make donations for its fifth annual Relay for Life, an overnight walk held on April 12 around Gold Lake Circle, as part of a series of international relays sponsored by The American Cancer Society.
Each year, over 5,000 organizations, cities and companies throughout the world host their own Relay for Life to raise money and awareness in the fight against cancer.
Danny McFadden, junior legal studies major and treasure of NSU’s Relay for Life, said “It’s a chance to support something that affects every single person in the world, one way or another.”
Though the event has the word “relay” in it’s name, walking is only one of its elements and participants aren’t required to walk the entire time. Relays typically also include food, entertainment and other activities, depending on what organizers have planned. Traditional elements worldwide include: cancer survivors taking a lap around the event area; participants honoring and remembing any of their loved ones lost to the disease in a luminaria ceremony; and relayers taking a pledge to spread awareness of cancer research, treatment and prevention in the closing Fight Back Ceremony.
NSU’s Relay for Life is still planning out the elements of this year’s event, but so far, 18 teams, along with unaffiliated donors and participants, have raised $5,808, toward the goal of $30,000.
To celebrate these fundraising efforts, Relay for Life will host a Team Party on Feb. 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 104 of the Student Affairs Building, formerly known as ASA. In addition to recognizing the team that has raised the most money, Alix Tucci, junior finance major and logistics chair of Relay for Life, said that the party will allow participants who’ve already formed teams to socialize and for the Relay for Life committee to make further plans for fundraising. Partygoers will also be able donate money and offer ideas for fundraising strategies.
Though everyone is encouraged to join a team — most of which are composed of student organizations — or form a new one, individuals may also attend Relay and donate on their own. More than 150 people have donated so far.
McFadden said that partygoers can expect a lot of excitement, despite Relay’s focus on cancer.
“Even though we are all coming together for a serious matter, the feeling of each of us uniting is incredible. You can feel it,” he said.
In addition to students, Tucci said NSU’s Relay committee hopes to engage other members of the university and the surrounding community in a universal effort.
“We are hoping to get a big impact from the community,” she said. “Relay for Life is a really great way to raise money and help cancer patients pay for transportation, therapy sessions, housing and cost of medical bills for treatments.”
To see NSU’s fundraising progress for Relay, sign up as a participant or donate, visitrelayforlife.org/getinvolved/findanevent/app/findanevent and search for “Nova Southeastern.” For more information, contact Tucci at at716@nova.edu. Look for further details in The Current as the event approaches.
