Every year, millions of people die from cancer. This weekend, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) will host Relay For Life in an effort to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer, support cancer survivors, and fundraise to help find a cure for cancer.
Relay For Life will be held at the Coach Bill Sudeck Track in the North Residential Village on Saturday, April 20, starting at 1 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 21. Students can register with a team to fundraise, or they can come individually the day of the event. Throughout the night, team members will take turns walking around a track to help raise money. Last year, CWRU Relay for Life was able to raise $70,000. This year they set the bar a bit higher with hopes to raise $75,000.
In addition to walking around the track, there will be food, games, and activities to help keep participants entertained throughout the night. There will be a midnight pizza party, Zumba, and much more.
Relay For Life is not just another fundraising event. It holds a special place in the hearts of many students, including junior Alissa Prior.
“My friend Courtney was diagnosed with central neurocytoma, a form of brain cancer, our freshman year of high school. As a result, Relay For Life has become a big part of my life,” said Prior.
“In high school, it was a way to support Courtney and celebrate how strong she is and how much she has been through,” she said. “It was always one of my favorite days of the year spent with my closest friends and family, not only recognizing how amazing Courtney and other cancer survivors are, but having an unforgettable time walking (and dancing) around a track for 12 hours.”
Prior took her love of Relay For Life in high school to college. Last year, Prior was a team captain for her sorority and this year she is on the Planning Team for Relay for Life.
“Now in college, I still ‘Relay’ every year for my inspiring friend Courtney, but it has become such a bigger part of my life than I ever thought it would be my freshman year of high school,” said Prior. “It has been a rewarding experience to plan the event that I love so much, and I hope a lot of CWRU students come out to the event to support.”