Forty-five teams consisting of 490 participants have 12 hours in Ship Rec to raise money for the fight against cancer.

Shippensburg University’s Colleges against Cancer (CAC) organization fundraises and plans all year long for its annual Relay for Life. Members sell t-shirts, host a color run, go canning in the streets and sponsor a volleyball tournament in order to have the best Relay possible.

At 6 p.m. on Friday, April 4 the doors to Ship Rec will open for the start of the event. Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society and helps CAC to promote awareness about cancer.

The theme this year for SU’s Relay is “Hope around the world”, which features an international flair to the booths hosted by participants. In addition to the theme activities there will be bra pong, a lip sync contest, raffles and the drag show competition, Miss Relay.

During the 12 hour event, members from each team are constantly walking around the track on the second floor of the recreation center. Teams swap out walkers as the night goes on.

Some of the teams include fraternities, sororities, clubs, companies and members of the community.

Leading up to the event, teams choose a captain, pick a team name and work to raise money for cancer research. The monetary goal for CAC this year is $45,000. So far, CAC has raised $25,286.86 of that goal.

When participants are not walking for the cure they can get henna tattoos, play three-on-three basketball or join the zumbathon. There is also a 3K at 3 a.m. for those who are still awake.

At midnight, a luminaria ceremony is held to honor those who have been affected by cancer.

Nicole Nicholson and Lauren Wenerd, logistic/activities co-chairs of CAC, contact people needed for the event and make sure the activities stay on schedule during the 12 hour event.

“By participating in Relay we hope to show support…and come together as a community to support everybody whom cancer has affected in some way,” Nicholson said.

Tara Cylcewski, the president of CAC, helps plan the entire Relay for Life and strives to keep her committees on track. SU’s CAC has approximately 25 members that work all year to bring their visions to life in April.

“Even if students’ lives have not been touched by cancer it impacts a large number of lives each year,” Cylcewski said, “Raising money can help create a world without this disease, so no one will ever have to hear the words ‘you have cancer’ again.”

Although many teams pre-register for Relay, anyone is welcome to come the night of and pay $20 to register.

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