This past weekend, DU students battled cancer in an unconventional way-they walked.
As part of the annual Relay for Life, organized by Colleges Against Cancer, students raised around $18,000 for cancer research, educational programs, advocacy and service programs by walking around Campus Green Saturday night.
As the kick-off event for May Days, the relay drew 18 teams, totaling around 120 students, to the campus green. Teams camped out, taking turns walking or jogging around the lawn.
They relayed for close to nine hours before the cold weather caused many to leave around 1 a.m.
Teams were asked to raise money before the event to benefit the American Cancer Society, and participation cost $10 per person.
Along with walking, a variety of other attractions kept attendees entertained during the event. Inflatable laser tag and an inflatable obstacle course were present on the lawn in the early evening, and lawn sports like Frisbee and soccer filled the grass with students until dusk.
Later in the night, the event hosted free massages from Massage USA, a Miss DU Relay Pageant and a performance by DU a capella group IdioSINGcrasies.
“I enjoyed the IdioSINGcrasies a lot because they were an a capella group that was composed of students that we normally don’t get to see on campus, and they were great singers,” said relay participant Steve Finlayson.
Luminaria bags with names of loved ones battling or having passed away from cancer were placed on the walkway surrounding Campus Green. Following the lighting of the bags, participants did a walk of silence, demonstrating respect for those named.
Differing in location from last year’s Relay for Life, held in Hamilton Gymnasium at the Richie Center, this year’s event raised double the amount of money.
“Obviously (having the relay outside) was hard because it was so cold, but I thought, considering the weather, we had a good turn out in the beginning,” said Relay for Life chair Brittany Tibbs, who organized the event with the help of Colleges Against Cancer president Kat Walsh.
Colleges Against Cancer is responsible for a variety of other on-campus events aimed at increasing cancer awareness and fundraising. The Kiss Away Cancer Event last February raised money for research, and the club organized a Picture a Cure photograph to send to Congress. Also, the club hands out cancer facts on Driscoll Bridge monthly, and plans to give out sunscreen during May Days.
However, Relay for Life is the main focus of Colleges Against Cancer. After this year’s success in raising funds, the organization has begun focusing on next year’s event. “I would like to have many more teams involved and advertise more. I would also like to raise more money next year,” said Tibbs. “It’s hard to get college students really excited to do (the relay), but we are going to keep trying our best to make it better next year.”
