Longwood Students Raise over $9,000 on side at Relay for Life

Over $9,000 was raised in one night as the Longwood community came together to fight cancer at Relay for Life on April 16. There were 725 participants who made up 56 registered teams, which is the highest number of teams to participate in Longwood's Relay for Life. There were also 24 survivors present.Check in started at 4 p.m., while the event began at 7 p.m. The event took place behind the Lankford Student Union and across Stubbs Lawn. A poem was read in the kickoff that helped explain the parallel between the Relay event and cancer. At the start of Relay was the sun setting, a symbol of when a patient is first diagnosed with cancer. The time around midnight and 1 a.m., when it gets dark and cold, represents the chemotherapy.

Around 4 a.m. represents how the exhaustion patients feel, but they must continue treatment the same as the participants in Relay must continue walking. As the sun breaks in the morning, it represents coming out of treatment and recovering from cancer.

Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Jeff Halliday was the keynote speaker. His son, Kenny, was born with a Wilm's tumor on his kidney. It was removed when he was six-days-old, and when it was removed, it was the size of a softball. Luckily, Kenny's form of cancer, which is also known as nephroblastoma, is highly receptive to treatment and Kenny is now a three-year-old survivor.

The survivors in attendance were invited to participate in the survivor's lap, which is the first lap around the track. Everyone else is invited to join in once that first lap is completed, and people remain walking for the rest of Relay.

Many of the teams hosted fundraisers at their campsites, and other activities including Mz. Relay, a showing of the film Blind Side by Lancer Productions and performances by B.A.S.I.C gospel choir and the National Pan-Hellenic Council were included. "We broke every record Longwood had including the most number to teams and participants. Also we raised the most money ever with a total of about $47,000", said Maggie Santiago, who served as co-activities chair.

Claire Cooper's team, Save the Ta-Tas, took home best campsite. The theme for relay this year was "Red, White and Blue, An All American Salute to Survivors." Her team made a banner with that slogan and sold hemp and friendship bracelets. They also incorporated Virginia Tech signs in memory of the shooting that took place three years ago to the day. The group raised $95 on site for Relay.

"My team and I relay because cancer hits close to home for a lot of us. I know a lot of my teammates have lost parents to cancer and some of their parent's are fighting cancer right now. We decided to get together and make a team to raise money to fight cancer," said Cooper.

Becky Gitlin served at luminaria chair for Relay. Luminaria bags are sold in memory or honor of people who have had cancer. After the sun sets the bags are lit up and people speak about why they relay. "I Relay for many reasons: for my dad, he had bone cancer before I was even born and my brother and I are actually miracles because the doctors told him that he was not able to have kids due to all the chemo and such. I also Relay for everyone that has been touched by cancer and those that are no longer with us today," said Gitlin. She said a little over $9,000 was raised on site, which surpassed their goal and what they raised last year.

Another event hosted was a locks of love event, in which some Longwood Students cut their hair and donated it to be made into wigs for cancer patients. Callie Darling, who cut her hair, explained this was another way to make a contribution for people who do not have a lot of money to donate.

"I relay because we're so close to finding a cure, why stop now!? When I was sixteen, my grandma passed away from lung cancer. I saw the way her early death affected my family so I want to ensure that doesn't happen to others," said Darling.

"I relay for several reasons one being that my father is a cancer survivor, however the most influential would be that my step mother passed away from breast cancer when I was 15. She was very active in my life and she raised me for most of my life. She continues to have an impact on my life everyday I would not be the strong, independent woman I am today without her influence on my life," said Santiago.

Fundraising efforts for Relay will continue until August. Go to www.relayforlife.org/longwoodu to donate and learn how to get involved in the fight against cancer.