New Details on April 18 Relay for Life

Volunteers are gathering tents, sleeping bags, their energy and their spirit for the University of Cincinnati’s Relay for Life on Sigma Sigma Commons. The fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society begins at 6 p.m. Friday, April 18 and runs through noon Saturday, April 19. The opening ceremony at 7 p.m. will be followed by the first victory lap, walked by cancer survivors.

There’s still time for volunteers to get involved, by picking up registration forms at the UC Center for Community Engagement. The forms are also available online at the Center for Community Engagement Web site.

Rose Dizon, a senior UC communication major and committee chair for the UC Relay for Life, adds that people can lend their support even if they aren’t able to attend the 18-hour relay. “I know of one team that is working only to raise money for the American Cancer Society. They aren’t actually able to participate in the relay.” Dizon says those supporters can turn in a check -- written out to the American Cancer Society --to the Center for Community Engagement. Team captains can also turn in contributions at the team captains’ meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, April 14, at Sigma Sigma Commons. If it’s raining at that time, the meeting will be moved to the Center for Community Engagement.

Teams can continue to raise funds directly at the relay by selling homemade treats or charging fees for games. Luminaries are still available for a special 9 p.m. ceremony at the relay that will honor those who have battled cancer. The luminary bags can also be purchased through the Center for Community Engagement Web site.

The UC Relay has the theme, Cartoon Characters and Super Heroes. Walkers can dress up as their favorite super hero and decorate their tents to compete for prizes for the best decorations.
UC student committees have been working for months to plan the entertainment through the night.

Arriving teams need to check with a committee member before pitching their tents on Sigma Sigma Commons. Committee members will be wearing purple Relay for Life shirts. Quiet time on campus runs from 11 p.m.-11 a.m., so loud music will not be permitted during that period, but teams can bring their own portable CD players. Teams should bring tents, sleeping bags, coolers and snacks to the event.

The Relay for Life is a non-smoking and alcohol free event. For more information on how to get involved, contact the Center for Community Engagement at (513) 556-1995 or Chelsey Schneider at the American Cancer Society. (513) 891-1600, extension 327.