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March 27 , 2006
Relay For Life raises money for cancer

BY robyn mohr

Emory will host its first Relay For Life next month to raise awareness and money for cancer prevention and research.

The event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will be held at the P.E. Center on April 28 at 6 p.m. and continue until noon on April 29. The race will feature teams of students, faculty, staff and community members, all of whom will have at least one member walking or running around the track at all times.

Relay is the American Cancer Society’s signature event, an effort to rally the community behind cancer research. Rachel Cohen, a senior at Emory, has been involved with the fundraiser for more than six years. “I believe that there should be a cure,” she said. “I have had friends and family members diagnosed and even die of cancer. Every day I meet someone who gives me a new reason to relay.”

Officials said 3 million people around the country participated in last year’s event. The proceeds from the relay are used to support the society’s mission of eliminating cancer.

The race tradition began in May 1985 when Gordy Klatt coordinated a 24-hour walk/run around a track in Tacoma, Wash. Klatt, a colorectal surgeon and avid runner, ran 83 miles, raising about $27,000 in donations that were given to the American Cancer Society.

The following year, Klatt continued the event, recruiting 220 participants who were divided into 19 teams. Two decades later, Relay For Life is held annually in many states and even has been embraced by eight countries outside the United States.

Emory is catching onto the trend. The University’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC), a member of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Movement, will host the relay.

As of March 19, Emory had raised $4,482 for the American Cancer Society, according to a statement on the CAC’s Web site.

“I am hoping that this relay will become a key part of the Emory community,” Cohen said. “Unlike many other charity events or fundraisers, Relay has the unique opportunity to give back to its community. The money raised stays in the area for the American Cancer Society’s programs, services and research.”

Every team nominates a captain, and participants set goals of how much money they hope to raise. All the proceeds are given to the American Cancer Society.

Participation is free for all cancer survivors and those who pre-register. General participants must pay $10 and should register with Emory’s chapter of Relay For Life.

There will be two team captain meetings for newly established teams on March 29 and April 19 at 7 p.m. in room 114 of Candler Library. At 7 p.m. on April 25 there will be a “Bank Night,” where teams can pick up their shirts, drop off money and get last-minute updates. An hour before the race begins, there will be a “Survivor’s Reception” on the third floor of the P.E. Center for cancer survivors.

For more information please visit www.students.emory.edu/cac, www.acsevents.org/emoryrelay or Learnlink “Relay 2006.”

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