Relay for life returns to UNH
Coordinators hope to repeat last year's success
Rebecca Lettoulier
Issue date: 10/5/04 Section: News
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"It was the single most unifying event that I have seen on this campus in the 25 years I've been here," said Marianne Fortescue on Tuesday, speaking of last year's Relay For Life held at UNH. The event committee held its first meeting in the MUB Tuesday, with its main focus this year being involving more students and student organizations.
Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature activity. It is an 18 to 24 hour event in which teams of eight to 15 people take turns walking around a track, around the clock. Each team is asked to constantly have a representative on the track at all times during the event. It is up to the individual teams to fundraise and collect donations, which go directly to the fight against cancer.
Over 700 participants walked, jogged or ran last year on the UNH track throughout the 24-hour period. When a participant isn't on the track, the football field was available to camp out for the night. The committee secured music, food and down time activities that lasted the entire 24-hour duration. This year, co-chair Kaelee Copley explained, they are hoping to show a movie on a large outdoor screen for participants who are waiting for a turn on the track.
With only nine people on the Relay committee last year, things are looking brighter at this week's meeting. About 20 students popped into MUB 203 Tuesday, interested in learning more about the Relay. Copley explained to the group that they need as many volunteers as possible. They are also hoping to reach the Greek system this year, asking fraternities and sororities to form teams and participate.
Relay For Life began in May of 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt took the first step of his 24-hour walk/run around a track in Tacoma, Wash. He raised $27,000 to support the American Cancer Society, and the next year 19 teams joined Klatt in his effort and Relay for Life was born.
The American Cancer Society believes the power of Relay allows a community to grieve for those lost to cancer and to celebrate the lives of those who have survived. It also provides prevention information and awareness through knowledge. "It's just really great to see college students come out for 24 hours," co-chair Nicole Decocq said. "Everyone has a connection or knows someone with cancer, and it's just really great for awareness."
