Relay For Life raises over $12,000 at EU

Photo by — Minh Nguyen

Relay For Life raised over $10,000 for the fight against cancer in R.A. Faganel Hall on April 22. 

“The purpose of this event is just a fun way to spread awareness and donate money to cancer,” Katarzyna Koziol, general committee chair of Relay For Life, said in an email to the Leader. 

“Relay For Life is a community-based fundraising event for the American Cancer Society and many other cancer-related institutions, societies, and associations. Each year, more than 5,000 events take place in over 20 countries,” Koziol said.

This year’s event was carnival themed. There were a variety of activities such as games and raffles to spread awareness and get people engaged in donations. 

“We have people walk laps around the gym depending on the theme of the lap,” Koziol continued. “One lap is for people who lost their lives to cancer, a lap is for all the survivors of cancer.”

The engagement of big organizations on campus also helped Relay For Life, as people formed into teams and competed for prizes.

The team competition ended with the Most Fundraising Award going to Alpha Sigma Phi, the Best Dressed Award to the Student Government Association, and the Best Team Spirit Award to Alpha Tau Omega. 

“That [Best Dressed Award] was very amazing,” said Morgan Demi, SGA’s team leader. “Probably one of the best moments at Elmhurst University. We were really tired, we wanted it, and we got it, so this cute little trophy means a lot to us.”

Moreover, for charity, there was a $15 entrance fee for everyone who came to the event. People could also purchase bags for the luminary ceremony to contribute to the donation.

“For our luminary ceremony,” Joi Reed, the president of Relay For Life, told The Leader. “We honor those who have lost of cancer and those who are battling cancer right now. The bags are the representation of us honoring them.”  

Beside all the fun and engaging activities, Relay For Life also had an inspirational speech during their luminary ceremony as people put glow sticks into their purchased bags. 

“There’s a crash, there’s a crack, there’s a crack in everything,” said Chaplain H. Scott Matheney during his speech. “That is how the light gets in.”

Relay For Life ended their event with the final charity donation up to $12,424.37. All the donations will be sent to the American Cancer Society.