Students shuffled sleepily out of Shippensburg University’s ShipRec at 6 a.m. Saturday after a 12–hour night of games, activities and walking the track for Relay for Life, an event which aimed to raise $30,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Colleges Against Cancer members spent the last two months organizing this event, which exceeded its goal and raised $30,559.
Co-administration chair Andrew Martin explained the process of collecting donations for relay.
“We don’t get direct donations,” Martin said. “People sign up as a group, and then their organization or team can raise money.”
Club members prepared an array of activities for students to enjoy throughout the night.
“We had a bunch of volleyballs out there, we had dodgeball, we had a lip sync battle [and] a moon bounce,” said fundraiser chair, co-administration chair and club secretary Hugh Rainey. “We had a Miss Relay competition.”
Rainey said club members had been working since 10 a.m. Friday decorating and preparing ShipRec for the event.
Many of the students participants explained their personal connection to the fight against cancer.
“Currently my grandmother is suffering from cancer,” said freshman Parker Bispels. “So it made it extra special to be here tonight.”
Junior Kaitlin Kartzer explained that her hometown puts on a Relay for Life each year, but that she normally is not able to make it. Kartzer added that three years ago a close family friend died from cancer, but before she passed away she participated in their hometown relay opening ceremony.
“She actually did the opening ceremony for our relay at home,” Kartzer said. “She got to hold the torch and everything.”
Senior Dan Dorfler has gone to Relay for Life almost every year he has been at SU. He said each person who comes to the event has been affected by cancer in come way.
Colleges Against Cancer President Gianno Uzzo was proud of Saturday’s event.
“It was really fun,” Uzzo said. “We did reach our overall goal which is awesome.”
“Thanks to everyone for coming out,” staff advisor Kaz Sortino said. “ It was a really great event for us.”
The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.