Relay draws hundreds
By Kelly Conniff, contributing writer
Posted on April 10, 2006

Community members and JMU students braved the cold on Saturday night to participate in Relay for Life.

Participants gathered at Bridgeforth Stadium to take part in a number of events designed to raise money for cancer. The evening was cold and foggy, but a large number of people still showed up to participate in the relay, listen to speakers and watch the ceremony.

“It was really cold, but people were really into it,” sophomore Karol Mendoza said. “The whole experience is nothing if you compare it to being a cancer survivor.”

Participants arrived, registered and set up tents for the long evening ahead. The opening ceremony began at 7 p.m., and cancer survivors took the first lap around the stadium. Other highlights of the ceremony included speeches from cancer survivors and a Luminaria ceremony where lights were placed in paper bags in order to honor those who have been lost to cancer.

“My favorite part was the Luminaria [ceremony], because they turn off all of the lights in the stadium and all you can see it this glowing message,” sophomore Ashley Gutshall said. “This year it spelled out ‘JMU HOPE.’ It was amazing.”

Afterward, the relay itself began.

“This year, we think that JMU raised over $188,000,” Mendoza said, “We beat what we made last year, which is incredible.”

Although many students retired to their tents or homes before the end of the relay, many stayed until the end.

“I stayed up the whole night, but I had a really good time,” Mendoza said. “People were dropping out near the end, but being there with others who have been affected by cancer bonds us together for one cause. It was a great feeling.”

In order to keep spirits high, organizers produced games, multiple concerts and a Buffalo Wild Wings-sponsored wing-eating contest.

“The volunteers were great, especially because they fed us, and were really enthusiastic,” Mendoza said.

Last year, JMU raised the most money per capita out of all the relays in the entire country. This year, 172 teams signed up, giving JMU the edge to beat what they raised last year.

Gutshall said that the experience was enlightening because it involves JMU banding together and branching out to the community.

Gutshall said the feeling in the stadium on Saturday night was awe-inspiring.

“Even though we live in this tight little JMU bubble, when it really matters is when we come together and branch out into the community,” she said. “Relay for Life really reaches out to people because cancer is something that we all have to deal with at some point in time.”