Relay for Life doubles funds

About 1,000 people raise more than $120,000 for cancer

Carolyn Walser / staff photographer About 1,000 students, faculty, staff and community members walked around Bridgeforth Stadium for 11 hours Saturday to Sunday to raise money for cancer.

Chilly temperatures and high winds failed to deter about 1,000 students, faculty, staff and community members who pitched tents and walked the track at Bridgeforth Stadium for 11 hours at the Relay for Life event to benefit the American Cancer Society Saturday night.

When the event culminated at daybreak Sunday, the committee chairs announced that Relay for Life teams had raised more than $120,000. With more than $72,000 raised by participants last year, according to senior Allison Richardson, Relay for Life committee chair, teams nearly doubled previous contributions.

This is the fourth year JMU has held the Relay for Life event, according to Richardson. “Relay for Life has been around since the mid-1980s and has become popular at college campuses nationwide over the past five years,” she said.

There were 99 registered Relay for Life teams for the event at JMU, according to Richardson. Teams primarily were formed by clubs, organizations, sports teams, sororities, fraternities, residence halls and groups of friends, she added.

The theme this year was Mardi Gras, prompting participants to deck themselves and their tents in green, yellow and purple.

Katherine Kessler, a JMU writing professor, spoke at the opening ceremony regarding her experiences with five different types of cancer.

“I refused to lie down,” she said. “And, with luck and hard work, I did survive.”

Cancer survivors received medals and walked the first lap of the evening to the sounds of a JMU jazz band. An a capella group, The Overtones, also provided musical accompaniment for the evening.

Two hours into the event, a student spoke about losing her mother to cancer. Small candles glowed in hundreds of white paper bags, which honored cancer victims and survivors, spelled “HOPE HEALS” on the steps of the bleachers.

Entertainment throughout the night roused the Relay for Life participants with performances by Madison Dance, senior Ross Copperman, Adelyn, Life of the Common and the Exit 247 B-Flat Project, which spurred an impromptu conga line after a choreographed piece to Pink’s “Get the Party Started.”

An aerobics session midway through the night revitalized fatigued participants.

More entertainment was provided by the Miss Relay 2004 allowed eight male participants to don their finest female attire and show off their assets in swimwear, singing, dance, strut in a talent portion and deliver witty answers to interview questions.

Junior Brian “Sweetums” McBeath was awarded the title of Miss Relay 2004, winning over the judges with a spirited Irish dance in the talent portion of the program.

The Marianne’s Angels team raised the most money with over $6,000 in donations, according to senior Katie Prin, team member.

“I feel that everyone’s lost somebody [to cancer],” Prin said. “Everyone’s affected [by the disease].”

Junior Rachel Brodrick, a Relay team member, said Relay for Life brings people together for a worthwhile cause. “It really demonstrates the selflessness of college students,” she said.

Delta Delta Delta raised about $6,000, according to sophomore Lindsay Giel, Delta Delta Delta activities chair.

“[Delta Delta Delta sisters] were on the Commons every Wednesday from 11 [a.m.] to 2 [p.m.] for five weeks collecting money in cans,” Giel said.

Coed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega raised $3,250, according to sophomore Katie Sheridan, team co-captain.

Freshman Erica Bennetch said she was proud of her team because “they were completely dedicated to helping out the American Cancer Society,” Bennetch said.” Freshman Ashley Eisenman wasn’t part of a team, but came to Relay for Life in order to support her friends who were participating.

Lindsay Litwin and Matt Pask came from Mary Washington College to participate in JMU’s Relay for Life. They are members of community service organization Circle K, and worked in conjunction with JMU’s chapter.

“[Relay for Life is] more impressive than I thought it would be,” Litwin said. “[Prof. Kessler’s speech] was especially moving.”

Pask said, “This is my fifth Relay [for Life].” “It’s an incredible event. The emotion, the fun you have — it’s a great time,” he added.

“No matter how much you prepare yourself, you’re always moved,” freshman Megan Bove said. “It’s amazing to see how many people come out to support Relay for Life.”