Tonight, students, faculty, alumni, community citizens and cancer survivors will gather at Capital Soccer Field for N.C. State’s fourth annual Relay for Life, American Cancer Society’s main fundraising event.
The Relay for Life committee and other University organizations are hosting the event to start at 5 p.m. and end tomorrow at 8 a.m. During that time, participants will run and walk the track in honor of cancer survivorship and to raise money for cancer research through the American Cancer Society.
“[This event] allows everyone who participates in it, whether as a group or individual, to show respect for people in their lives who have had cancer,” Lisa Jeffries, Pi Beta Phi team captain for RFL and a senior in textile and apparel management, said. “But it’s also really important to see it as a beacon of hope, that one day we can hopefully find a cure for [cancer] so no one will have to suffer from it again.”
Cancer survivors will take the first lap around the track to officially open the event.
“This emotional time sets the stage for the importance of each participant’s contribution,” Carla Ammons, Relay for Life at N.C. State event co-chair and a senior in criminology, said.
Throughout the rest of the night, at least one member from each team must always be active on the track.
According to Ammons, the night represents the life cycle of a cancer survivor. The opening of the event and sunset symbolizes someone being told he or she has cancer; night represents the process of going through treatment for cancer; dawn is symbolic of being told that the cancer is in remission.
As teams gather with tents around the track, they will also enjoy a night of entertainment, celebration and deep reflection, Ammons said.
According to Ammons, entertainment throughout the night by local bands, comedy acts and dance groups, as well as on-site fundraisers will support Relay for Life.
The highlight of the event is the Luminary Ceremony of Hope after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember loved ones lost to cancer. The luminary candles line the track and burn throughout the night, Ammons said.
The week before RFL, “Paint the Town Purple Week,” involves preparation to promote the event. The committee members painted store fronts on Hillsborough Street purple, the theme color of the Relay, with facts about RFL and statistics.
Since January or before, teams have been fundraising and seeking sponsorship, according to Ammons. Last year, the event raised more than $45,000, which doubled the proceeds from the year before. This year, Ammons said the goal is to reach $100,000.
Jeffries, whose Pi Beta Phi sorority has been participating in NCSU’s RFL for three years, said the sorority raised about $1,700 thus far. Its team plans to have on-site fundraising that involves a “girly theme” of manicures, hairdos and makeup.
“It’s a way for us to show support for each other because a lot of the girls in the chapter have been really touched by cancer, and it’s also important to keep in mind that it can affect us,” Jeffries said.
Ammons said the fundraising through the University’s RFL makes a difference.
“Last year was the first year cancer survivor rates increased over cancer death rates,” Ammons said, “so we’re making a difference. I think students and people from around the state that come to the relay can really start to see that and understand that.”
The theme for this year’s event is “Make Cancer History.” Teams will decorate their campsites according to the theme.
Ammons said each year approximately 800 to 1,000 people attend NCSU’s RFL.
Currently, 40 teams with less than 500 team participants have registered for the event, but Ammons said there will be a large turnout from other students and community members tonight.
According to RFL’s Web site, more than 300 college relays exist and raise more than $12.5 million a year, while more than 3.5 million Americans take part in Relay for Life. Relays exist in more than 4,800 communities nationwide and in 23 other countries.
“We hope that all the participants leave the event feeling like they have made a difference, because they have,” Ammons said. “We hope that relay sends the message that this is an important issue that needs addressing. We can all play a part in finding a cure for this disease.”
