The fight against cancer continues

UCCS' Relay for Life, an annual, nationwide event created to honor those battling cancer and remember those who have passed, will be held at UCCS on April 30 at 4 Diamonds from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Relay  is an all-night event where teams who have raised money for cancer camp out in various locations and complete night-long laps in a symbolic fight against cancer. The real fight comes from all the donations and money raised prior to the event, which is donated to the American Cancer Society to aid in cancer research.

Fundraising for Relay has already begun at UCCS. The Asian Pacific Islander Student Union (APISU)  held their fundraising event B.O.A.T (Bonanza of Aspiring Talent) on Feb. 9.

The event featured performances from The Free Expression Poetry Club and several local bands, including Divine Karma, a band of UCCS students. The event raised $325, all of which was donated to Relay for Life. "I really enjoyed the event," said student Alvin Chee. "It was great to see everyone come together and donate to a good cause."

Cierra Perratt, this year's event co-chair, said of Relay, "It's a celebration to find the cure for cancer and just a big, courageous step in the fight against cancer."

Survivors of cancer, their family and friends, people currently battling cancer, and the loved ones of those who have lost someone to cancer are all welcomed to the event and celebrated. "The relay has a huge impact on the survivors that are invited, and they can feel that they're not alone," said Perratt.

There are special laps for survivors of cancer and the luminaria event, which is a remembrance celebration. Participants may write the name of a loved one on a paper bag, which is lit up from the inside by a candle, and complete a lap to remember them in silence.

"The luminaria event is my favorite, which is why I signed up to be chair," said Taylor McManam, luminaria co-chair. "The event is so touching. Everyone fills out their bag and we light them and take a lap of hope to remember, and everyone's name is read off."

"It's a very humbling moment. I usually end up crying. It's really touching and everyone is really close," he added.

The UCCS organization's goal is to raise $30,000 this year. "That's a big goal but it feels really good," said Perratt. "We're looking to have 30 teams sign up, but right now we only have five. If we get 30 teams of ten people and each person raises $100, that's our goal."

Teams consist of 8 to 15 people, and the registration fee for each member on a team is $10. The suggested fund raising goal per person is $100. Anyone who raises $100 will receive a free t-shirt, and groups that raise $1000 or more are celebrated at the event. Individuals looking to participate but without a group can join pre-existing groups via the website as well.

"Everybody comes together at the Relay, and whether you know anybody there or not, everyone's been through the same thing. It's very comforting," said McManam.

To find out more or register a group, visit the committee's website at http://www.uccsrelay.org and keep an eye out around campus for fund raising tables and informational fliers. 

Catherine Jensen contributed to this article.