UC Students Fight Cancer With Overnight Relay For Life

Teams of University of Cincinnati student volunteers will lead the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life at UC beginning with the opening ceremony at 5:45 p.m., Friday, April 25, through noon, Saturday, April 26, on McMicken Commons. Relay For Life at UC co-chair Florence Lucas, a UC sophomore and secondary education major, says the Relay is the largest student-organized community service event that takes place on campus – a student-led tradition since 2003. Lucas adds that a record 139 teams (1,467 participants) are participating in the 2008 Relay at UC, themed around Walt Disney movies.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life consists of teams of volunteers that have collected pledges and take turns walking around the Relay route on McMicken Commons during the entire 18-hour event. So far, UC volunteers have raised more than $48,433. The money raised through Relay For Life supports American Cancer Society programs toward the research, treatment and education to eradicate cancer.

It’s a fundraiser that honors survivors who have battled cancer, with the kickoff Survivor Lap that will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, April 25, followed by a special reception to honor the survivors. The event also remembers loved ones lost to cancer through the Ceremony of Hope at 10 p.m., April 25, as the lights are dimmed on McMicken Commons and candle-lit bags, called luminaria, glow and symbolize those lost to cancer, those affected by cancer and the loved ones impacted by the disease.

Peter Osborne, Southwest Ohio Public Relations Director for the American Cancer Society, says that Ohio volunteers raised $16.4 million from Relay For Life events in 2007, including the $102,500 volunteers raised at UC last year. Nationally, Relay For Life volunteers raised a total of $407 million in 2007 and have raised more than $2.5 billion since 1985.

Relay For Life at UC event co-chairs Florence Lucas and Lisa Winton, a third-year biology/pre-med major from Cleveland, are coordinating overnight events that include a Disney-themed Prince Charming Dating Game contest at 8 p.m., April 25, a “Lady and the Tramp” spaghetti-eating contest at 2 a.m., Saturday, April 26, and “High School Musical” Karaoke at 4 a.m.

UC faculty, staff, students and members of the Cincinnati USA community can support the UC Relay For Life by making a donation. Information on making donations is featured on the UC Relay For Life Web site. For more information on the 30 Relay For Life events taking place around Cincinnati USA, call 800-ACS-2345 or visit the Relay For Life Web site.

Related Report: UC Student to Walk the Survivor Lap in UC Relay