Jessica Pellegrino – General Assignment Reporter
A huge event for Southern Connecticut State University, Colleges Against Cancer’s Relay for Life is known for bringing out all students.
From sororities and fraternities, service commissions, clubs and organizations to inquiry classes and professors, everyone supports Relay for Life’s mission to fund cancer research. This year, Relay for Life is shaping up to be one for the record books.
SCSU’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer sponsors the event every year. CAC President Tayler Keefe shares information about the organization.
“I joined Colleges against Cancer in my freshman year. So since fall semester 2012,” said Keefe. “It was the first club I joined on campus. CAC usually does local volunteer work. In October, we help with the Making Strides Breast Cancer walk. We also hold our Relay for Life Kick off. We also hold the campus’ Breast Cancer week in October, and on Nov. 17 we held our first ever Dodgeball tournament.”
A lot goes into Relay for Life. There are many smaller events like bake sales, kick off events, and social media campaigns to spread the word about Relay for Life and to get Southern’s campus excited for the main event.
“We are trying to make a really strong presence on campus this year, said Keefe. “All the tabling events that we do at sports games to raise money goes to that sport team. We held our Breast cancer week in October, most of that money raised went to our relay as well. Along with these events we have some big plans for next semester.”
Though she can’t disclose this information yet, Keefe promises the “big plans” are going to be exciting ones.
This year’s Relay for Life is shaping up to be the most successful one yet. Colleges against Cancer is working hard to change Relay for Life for the better.
“This year’s relay is going to be completely revamped,” said Keefe. “We have some larger events leading up to relay. Relay is going to be indoors in the Moore Field House. Relay is also going to be a Friday to a Saturday on April 17 and 18 this year. We are looking to have a whole lot more to do during the event. More food, more entertainment, and more giveaways.”
All of these changes are being put into places to make Relay for Life more enjoyable for its participants. If that isn’t enough, Keefe also shares some new incentives.
“The top fundraising teams will be given opportunities for free food and other goodies,”said Keefe.
Keefe herself has a personal connection to Relay for Life.
“My favorite part about this event is the sense of community,” said Keefe. “Being such a large commuter school, it’s hard to get that sometimes. But being at an event where everyone is fighting for the same cause, it’s inspiring. It gives me such hope. And I hope it does that for others as well. I lost my mother to Cancer, we have many survivors that go to Southern, and we all know someone that has been affected by this awful disease. It’s amazing to see the amount of support that one event can offer.”
Every student can participate in Relay for Life. Keefe shares her tips for first time
Relay-ers.
“The most important thing,” said Keefe, “would have to be, to just get a good group of friends and fundraise, fundraise, fundraise. You are what makes this relay so great. There are beautiful ceremonies and a lot of things to do. But this is your relay just as much as it is mine. You are what makes this relay so great. So come out and have a great time.”
Students can sign up for the event here. Keefe suggests that any students with ideas should contact CAC to help make Relay for Life great.
Photo Credit: Skagit County
