On October 30, Frostburg State University’s section of
Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) held a kick-off event for the annual Relay for
Life event scheduled from April 25 and 26 at Bobcat Stadium. The kick-off
included information sessions, a costume contests, games, and a birthday
celebration.
Marissa Castillo, president of CAC, began the meeting by announcing
the theme of the year which is “Superheroes” and showing a video of FSU
students staining the reason why they participate in relay. Following the
video, Castillo said, “This is just the first video we put together. We would
like for each of you to go back to your teams and make a ‘Why you Relay’ video
of your team members.”
As one of the big components of Relay is donating money to
the American Cancer Society (ACS), a big topic on everyone’s mind during the
evening was how to raise funds. Katie Morgan, the fundraising chair for CAC,
encouraged everyone to “get creative with fundraising and don’t just do bake
sales.”
One creative fundraising idea that was handed out to all the
team captains at the meeting was a piece of paper with the word “HOPE” printed
on it. However, it was more than just the word as each letter of the word was
broken down into smaller squares with a statement listing a donation pledge.
Anyone participating in the fundraiser can simply hand the sheet to someone and
ask them to pick a box, donate, and sign the box with their name. Amounts of
donation vary from $1-$10 with some pledge boxes contain sayings such as “4
quarters for cancer prevention education” or “$2 to ‘Save the Boobies’!”
Fundraising may be a component of relay, but it is important
to remember that it is not the only component. Relay is also about drawing awareness
to cancer, remembering those we have lost, and celebrating the fight of those
who survived. Survivors play a huge role in Relay, and because of the
challenges they have faced they are given the honor of leading the first lap or
the event.
Michelle Giambruno, who is coordinating survivor events this
year, encouraged everyone at the meeting to try and get at least one survivor to
sign up to join their team. Giambruno recognized that many individuals in the
room had family members or friends back home who had been touched by cancer,
but would not be able to attend the event. However, not being able to attend
Relay is not a problem. Giambruno says, “If your hero is off saving the world,
have him or her sign up for your team and an advocate can walk for them.”
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| Participants of the 2013 Relay for Life event at Frostburg State University are led around Bobcat Stadium by cancer survivors for the first lap of the event. (FSU News and Media Services) |
Following the information sessions, a costume contest in
honor of Halloween was held and attendees were able to participate and a quiz
show style game for Relay related prizes. In addition, the birthday of CAC
President Castillo was celebrated with cake.
For more information on Frostburg State University’s relay
for life visit http://www.relayforlife.org/FSUMD.
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