WATCH: Relay For Life at UC Raises More than $124,000

It is a rarity lately in Cincinnati, but sunny skies beamed down on the kickoff of the ninth-annual Relay For Life at UC.

Student organizers say 165 teams and 1,865 participants registered for the overnight event that got underway April 29 on McMicken Commons. As UC’s Worldfest 2011 came to an end, Relay For Life kicked off with a celebratory dance by the group, Rangli jawan. The dancing is featured in the above video, as well as other highlights such as the Survivor’s Lap.

Relay For Life at UC co-chair Michelle Prinzo reports that so far, the event has raised $124,162.85 toward a $155,000 goal. Donations will be taken online through Aug. 31.

Over the past eight years, Relay For Life at UC has donated more than a half million dollars to the American Cancer Society for education, advocacy and research programs – including American Cancer Society-funded research at UC. UC’s Academic Health Center reports that current funding received to date on awards from the American Cancer Society is $1.6 million, with anticipated funding amounting to $2.1 million.

Top individual fundraisers at Relay For Life 2011 at UC were Megan Hathaway, a fourth-year civil and environmental engineering major; Josh Whelchel a second-year composition major in the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM); and Provost Santa Ono.

Top fundraising teams were Cancer Crushers; Campus Services and Josh’s Team.

Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity was honored with the Team Spirit Award for spirit and overall participation.