Relay for Life returns to SRU campus
For the first time since 2019, the American Cancer Society at Slippery Rock University is holding a Relay for Life event on the university campus from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Old Thompson Field.
Hannah Minor, co-president of the American Cancer Society at SRU and a sophomore public health-pre-physician’s assistant major from Lisbon, Ohio, said the 60-member chapter has been working since classes started in the fall to stage this event.
“Our goal is to educate the community, support cancer patients and raise money to support people with cancer, and to try and find a cure,” Minor said.
Because “college students don’t have a lot of money,” Minor said her chapter is raising money by selling raffle basket tickets and asking people to contribute whatever they can for an entrance fee.
“Donate whatever you feel you are able to and get some raffle tickets,” Minor said.
Hailey Huntington, senior development manager of youth programs for the cancer society, said, “Relay for Life campus events are coming back in Pennsylvania. We have them at Gannon University, Allegheny College, the University of Pittsburgh, as well as Slippery Rock.”
Relay For Life is the world's largest volunteer-based fundraising event. For more than 36 years, communities across the world have come together to honor and remember loved ones and take action for lifesaving change.
Community members take turns walking around a track lined with luminaria bags. Onlookers will have an opportunity to cheer for local survivors (or participate as a survivor) in the first lap of the day.
All attendees of the Slippery Rock event Saturday are asked to line the track during the survivor lap and cheer on our survivors — bring noisemakers, pom-poms, anything someone would bring to a pep rally.
After the Survivor Lap, caregivers are invited to join the survivors. A caregiver is a friend or family member who helped a person with cancer, regardless if they are still with us. It may even be a health care worker.
Attendees are again asked to line the track and cheer for the caregivers.
Caregivers of cancer patients (currently or previously diagnosed) will then be invited to join the survivors. As it gets dark, organizers will light the luminaria bags surrounding the track in a luminaria ceremony.
Organizers suggest those attending the event bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, an umbrella (the event goes forward rain or shine), extra clothes and comfortable shoes.
Other supplies that might increase enjoyment of the event include pop-up tents, camping supplies, tables, camp chairs, laminated signs and portable cellphone chargers.
Alcohol and tobacco products, and pets, other than service animals, are not allowed.
