The Colby Echo

Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Features

Students and volunteers crowd the track for the twelve-hour Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research.

Relay for Life is more than just a walk around Colby's track. Relay for Life is a time to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember those who have been lost to the disease and raise money to find a cure. Chairs of Relay for Life this year, seniors Kristi Boman, Ling U, and Kristin Weigle are determined to spread the word about Relay. This spring the College will host its fourth annual Relay for Life event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Relay is a twelve-hour walking relay involving teams who have solicited donations, and is open to the entire campus community.

Weigle and U were asked to be co-chairs of Relay for Life their sophomore year after being on the food and concessions committee for Relay as first-years. Weigle was familiar with Relay for Life from her involvement in it during high school. "I realized how widespread cancer is and really wanted to help make a difference," Weigle said of her initial enrollment with the fundraiser. "I was thrilled that I could continue my work with Relay when I got to Colby." U was not familiar with the event before coming to Mayflower Hill, but after joining the committee as a first-year, she was eager to play a larger role. When U and Weigle went abroad last year, Boman was asked to chair Relay. "I had done Relay all four years in high school and was excited about being able to become more involved in Colby's Relay," Boman said.

All three of the chairs have attended the National Collegiate Leadership Summit sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It is a program organized by college students that brings more than 300 students together every year to discuss Relay for Life, listen to speakers and exchange creative ideas about fundraising. "Hearing the speakers was very powerful and had a real effect on people," Weigle said. U was excited upon returning from the event, as "it gave us so much energy and excitement for this year. We have lots of new ideas to help us plan for Relay and are really excited about the possibilities for this year's event."

Relay for Life is an all-night event featuring a variety of activities, bands, food and free giveaways. The foundation of Relay for Life relies on creating teams and getting donations. "Making a team of your friends really makes a difference and makes the night a lot more fun," Boman said. People often ask why the event goes all night. Why not just stop walking at midnight? "Someone who is suffering from cancer can't just escape their feelings of exhaustion and nausea," Weigle said. "We walk all night to show that cancer doesn't stop and we need to continue to fight against it."

"Participation and fundraising for Relay continues to increase every year at Colby," Boman said. Weigle, U and Boman are hoping that this will be the case again this spring. This year, Relay for Life will be held on the Alfond track on May 2, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m. on May 3. Anyone interested in helping out with Relay for Life this year is welcome to attend an information session on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in Lovejoy 215. More information will be available soon for those interested in joining a team. There will also be on-campus fundraisers throughout the school year and leading up to the actual event. For additional information on Relay for Life please visit www.relayforlife.org or contact any of the three chairs.

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