By Alexander Petrucelli, Staff Writer
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life returns to the campus for a third year on April 24 at the Intramural Fields. The event raises money for the fight against cancer, and in honor of those whom have survived or fallen to cancer. Students and faculty whom are not participating in the relay are encouraged to attend and lend their support to the cause. This year, the goal is for the University’s Relay For Life to have even more students, faculty and donations to make it a bigger success than in years past.
“I cannot put into words how much this event means to me. I cannot believe that it has been three years since I asked to bring this event to campus,” Alexandra Laks, founder and co-chair of the University’s Relay For Life, says. Since its inception, Relay For Life has raised over $75,000 and has developed a large following on campus.
The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will conclude around 7:00 a.m. on Sunday. A Luminaria Ceremony, (where illuminated bags with the names of cancer survivors/victims light up the night sky honoring all those affected), will take place over the course of the evening. There will also be a Survivor’s Dinner at 5:30 p.m. held at Hofstra USA to honor many survivors of cancer and their guests.
Music and entertainment will be provided by on-campus and off-campus organizations. University students and faculty are invited and need not be a part of a team in order to attend or to donate. One of the events featured at Relay for Life is “Mr. and Mrs. Relay For Life,” a pageant where a panel will judge male and female pairings in the Q&A, talent and “WOW wear” rounds of competition. Visit the Facebook group titled “Mr. and Mrs. Relay For Life” for more information.
As of Tuesday evening, there are 62 teams registered to participate with 623 participants. The five teams with the most donations—Helping Hands, “Chem/Phys Building” for Life, Hofstra University Honors College, Hofstra University Dance Team and Hofstra Hillel—have raised over a combined $14,000 between them.
“We have the power to help create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone’s life,” Laks says.
So join over 600 members of the University community this Saturday April 24, to help celebrate, remember and fight back at the third annual Relay For Life.
For more information, visit the Facebook group titled “Hofstra Relay For Life 2010” or go to www.relayforlife.org/hofstrauniversity for inquiries about donating or signing-up.