Relay For Life Set for Friday at CSUSM
By Jasmine Demers, Tukwut Life Student Assistant—Communications, 2016
Relay For Life, a national movement that aims to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer, is making its way to CSUSM and is asking students to come together and relay for a world without cancer.
This Friday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Colleges Against Cancer will host Relay For Life at CSUSM, sending a powerful message about the importance of cancer education and advocacy.
Relay For Life is a community fundraising walk that gives people the opportunity to show their support for the fight against cancer. Since it’s start in May 1985, Relay For Life has raised almost five billion dollars for cancer research and resources.
This year’s Disney-themed event will take place on the Mangrum Track and Field, where participants will be encouraged to dress up in Disney themed gear. The Relay will commence with the Survivors Lap when all cancer survivors will join together to take the first lap around the track. The day’s activities will also include the Luminaria Ceremony, which honors those who have fought against cancer and remembers those who lost their battle, and the Fight Back Ceremony, which calls on all participants to take action.
“Relay For Life is our biggest fundraising event,” said Angelica Fuentes, president of the CSUSM chapter of Colleges Against Cancer. “This year’s Relay is going to be 12 hours and it’s an event where the community can come together for one important cause. We encourage participants to walk the Relay and participate in the activities that we provide.”
Colleges Against Cancer is officially in its second year at CSUSM and is joined together with a force of over 450 chapters nationwide. This organization brings the fight against cancer to college campuses and provides a source of advocacy, fundraising and cancer education.
“The Purpose of Colleges Against Cancer is to make everyone aware that cancer affects every single one of us in some shape or form, said Angela. “Cancer has become so common that we all probably know someone that has been affected by the disease. Our purpose is to fundraise for the American Cancer Society with all proceeds going straight to cancer research and to provide cancer patients with extra resources.”
Colleges Against Cancer holds weekly meetings every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in SBSB 3125. They encourage all students to join their committee as well as volunteer for their fundraising events, especially Relay For Life.
“Colleges Against Cancer is for everyone not just those who have been affected by cancer,” Angela commented “Our doors are open to everyone who is passionate about making a difference and we will gladly welcome you into our family.”
To participate in Saturday’s event or to learn more about Relay For Life and how you can help fight against cancer and become an active advocate in fundraising towards a cure, visit the CSUSM Relay for Life website.