MEGAN MARRON ’18
STAFF WRITER
Students continued to show their generosity and enthusiasm to important causes here at the Valley.
Lebanon Valley College held its 16th annual Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on Friday, March 24. The event was 12 hours long and ran from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m.
According to the American Cancer Society’s website, Relay for Life is “a team fundraising event where team members take turns walking around a track or designated path. Each event is 6-24 hours in length and each team is asked to have a member on the track at all times to signify that cancer never sleeps. Cancer patients don’t stop because they’re tired, and for one night, neither do we.”
Events took place throughout the night including a hair cutting ceremony, a luminaria ceremony in remembrance of those who lost their battles with cancer, performances from the LVC Dance team and cheerleaders and a glow hour to round out the night.
“My favorite part of Relay was when the luminaries were lit to honor those who have been affected by cancer,” Brianna Metsger, a sophomore English major, said. “It was very powerful and hopeful to see so many people stand together against the disease.”
Preregistered was open to students and community members to participate in and fundraise for the event. Each of the 527 participants had their own reason to relay:
“Relay matters to me because I have known a few people that have died from cancer and even more that have been affected by it,” Holly Mitman, a junior secondary education and chemistry double major, said. “By participating, I can raise money and not feel quite so helpless against this heartless disease.”
There were many speakers that presented throughout the event including honorary survivor Rey Flores, LVC parent and breast cancer survivor Alexandra Partington and Director of Public Safety Brent Oberholtzer.
The top individual and team fundraisers were announced at the closing ceremony which was held at 2:50 am. The top individual fundraiser was sophomore Madie Szekeres, who raised $1,561. Alpha Sigma Tau sorority took home the top team spot with $4,769. All in all, the event raised $34,620.22
Lebanon Valley College’s Relay event was organized by the Colleges Against Cancer club which also organizes the popular Pink Week on campus to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
M. MARRON mnm003@lvc.edu