By Svenja van den Woldenberg, Staff Writer

About 1,000 people gathered on the intramural fields to participate in Hofstra’s Relay for Life, which ran from 7 p.m. on April 30th until the next morning.

The 78 participating teams raised over $90,000. The top three contributing teams were Student Members of the American Chemical Society, with $5,475, Utrecht, with $4,641.44, and Entertainment Unlimited, with $3,915.

“I’m so impressed with our students, dedicating so much time and energy, giving up a whole Saturday night for this great cause,” said Peter Libman, Dean of Students “I was delighted to be part of this great event. $90,000 is just incredible.”

For some students, like Danielle Mudge, it was their first Relay. Mudge is a junior and community service co-chair for Alpha Kappa Psi. “It was very touching to see over 1,000 students walking together in silence for such an important cause,” she said. “It made me realize how many people are affected and how much our contribution can help.”

She also said, “I think everyone should get involved with Relay…I wish Hofstra could have more events that brought out so many students for such a great cause.”

This year Hofstra’s Relay was run by tri-chairs Katie Friedman, Tyler Greenpope and Zach Dane. Dane said for the past 11 months the group has been meeting with American Cancer Society representative Eddie Mouradian, as well as numerous Hofstra students, faculty members, representatives from the Office of Student Leadership and Activities and Public Safety. The group also met with students who were team captains, “without who, Relay for Life would not have been nearly as successful,” he said.

According to Dane, the tri-chairs set three goals: 75 teams, 750 participants, and $75,000. The group managed to not only meet all of their goals, but to exceed them. “Even without our $10,000 anonymous donation, we still would have exceeded our goal which is a great testament to the student body as well as the impact of Relay for Life as a whole,” said Dane.

For him, Relay was not only an accomplishment; it was personal. “At nine years old, my mom was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma, a non-smoker’s lung cancer. In 2002 [3 years later], she lost her fight against cancer. Her dedication, fight and her drive are the reasons that I relay,” said Dane, “I take all aspects of Relay for Life very personally and I do everything in my power to make sure that it is a successful event.”

Dane said to honor the memory of his mother he decided to walk the entire night. “There are so many great things about Relay for Life, especially at Hofstra,” Dane said. “There are so many dedicated and committed individuals who work together to make something great. Friendships are strengthened even more during a time of need. People become more willing to meet others and walk with them. All aspects of campus are in the same area for a common goal, no other event has that power.”

   The tri-chairs of the 2011 Relay for Life at Hofstra would like to personally thank Eddie Mouradian, the American Cancer Society, Carol Squires, Cori Fisher, Matt Kantor, Robyn Goldman, Luke Miedrich, Phi Delta Theta, Delta Chi, OSLA, Robyn Kaplan, Ashley Gray, Sarah Young, Mario Bolanos, Anita Ellis, Public Safety and everyone that helped out with Relay. “[It] would not have been possible without you,” said Dane.

The Student Government Association formed a team, pictured above, and participated in Relay for Life (Photo Courtesy Tor Vullo)