Largest UC Student-Organized Community Service Event Expects More than 1,800 Overnight Participants

An 18-hour overnight event at the University of Cincinnati will celebrate those who have survived their battle with cancer, will remember and celebrate the memory of those who were lost to cancer, and will be part of a national effort in the fight for a cure.

The eighth-annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life at UC gets underway at 5:45 p.m., Friday, April 23, on UC’s McMicken Commons, and runs through noon, Saturday, April 24.

Relay For Life at UC – the largest student-organized community service event on campus – aims to raise $160,000 to support the American Cancer Society’s education, advocacy and research programs – including American Cancer Society-funded research at UC.

UC Relay For Life Event Co-Chair Michelle Prinzo, a UC early childhood education and communication major from Akron, Ohio, says the 2010 Relay For Life at UC will play on Hollywood with the theme, “Relaywood: Lights, Camera, Take ACTION.” She says the personal connections to the event are why it draws so much interest.

“Everyone has some connection to cancer, whether it’s a friend or a family member,” Prinzo says. “This is a chance for people to get together to remember their loved ones and to celebrate all the strides we have made against cancer. We’re doing something for a good cause and it’s meaningful and it’s fun, so it’s the total package.”

Prinzo says student organizers are expecting 1,800 people that have formed teams, collected pledges, and will take turns walking around the Relay route on McMicken Commons through the entire 18-hour event.

Student organizers also include co-chair and fellow University Honors student Megan Hathaway of White Oak, a UC junior and civil engineering major, and co-chair Anthony Voveris of Toledo, Ohio, an accounting major and Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS scholar.

Voveris, who is also vice president of the UC student organization, Colleges Against Cancer, is also coordinating a petition drive for an entire smoke-free campus. The petition drive, part of the night’s Fight Back Ceremony, takes place at 11:15 p.m. following the 10 p.m. Luminaria Ceremony of Hope to remember those affected by cancer.

Peter Osborne, Southwest Ohio public relations director for the American Cancer Society, says 221 Relay For Life events across Ohio in 2009 raised $15.7 million. The 2010 Relay For Life goal across Ohio is to raise $16.9 million to benefit American Cancer Society programs. “Relay For Life and other American Cancer Society fundraisers have allowed us to give more than $3.5 billion – more than any other non-governmental organization – to research institutions such as UC to investigate cancer,” Osborne says.

In 2009, UC received more than $1.1 million in research funding from the American Cancer Society. Of those funds, $30,000 were from the society’s Ohio chapter.

By 2015, the American Cancer Society aims to

• Lower by half the number of people dying of cancer
• Reduce the occurrence of cancer by 25 percent
• Improve the quality of life of all who are affected by the disease

Prinzo adds that the 2010 Relay includes significant participation from UC undergraduate students as well as participation from graduate students, particularly graduate students representing the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.

Hathaway adds that  last year, UC's Relay For Life raised over $150,000 for the American Cancer Society and that in just seven years, UC has raised over $500,000 through Relay For Life at UC. She adds that UC has hosted the number one collegiate Relay For Life in Ohio for the past two years and was recognized in 2009 as one of the top 10 best collegiate Relay For Life events in the nation.

"My adopted grandmother, Sharon Standriff, passed away from cancer in 2006, but she leaves behind inspiration for me to organize this amazing event," said Hathaway. "I have so much passion for the cause, and it is my hope that this inspiring event brings together many more people in the fight against cancer so we can one day find a cure. "

After the event, UC students will continue fundraising for Relay For Life through Aug. 31. UC faculty, staff, students and members of the Cincinnati USA community can support UC Relay For Life by making a donation. Donation information can be found on the UC Relay For Life Web site. For more information on Relay For Life events taking place around Cincinnati USA, call 800-ACS-2345 or visit the Relay For Life Web site.

2010 Relay For Life at UC Media Photo Highlights

Friday, April 23

5:45 p.m. – Kickoff of Relay For Life at UC
6 p.m. – A special survivor lap to honor cancer survivors. This year as part of national relays, caregivers will also be honored by taking part in the survivor lap.
10 p.m. – The Luminaria Ceremony. Lighted bags called Luminaria represent a person affected by cancer or the memory of those lost to cancer, as well as those who were affected by the experience.
11:15 p.m. – Fight Back Ceremony/UC student Colleges Against Cancer organization campus-smoke-free petition drive

Saturday, April 24

11:30 a.m. – Closing ceremony and awards
Noon – The final lap of 2010 Relay For Life at UC