Fighting cancer one step at a time

What do University of Toledo students and the American Cancer Society have in common? They are both joining forces to save lives and help support those fighting cancer.
More than 13,000 students will gather at the UT Recreation Center Dec. 3 for UT’s Relay for Life to show their love and support for those battling cancer, or those who have battled cancer in the past.
The students will spend 12 hours, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., celebrating survivors, walking around the track and participating in activities such as photo booths, dodgeball, a Zumba class, jail and bail, bake sales and the Mr. Relay pageant, all while supporting a worthy cause.
Samantha Kavander, a third-year education major, will be participating in the event for the second time.

“I wanted to get involved in Relay since cancer has greatly affected my family in the past, and I love helping a cause as awesome as Relay,” Kavander said. “I think everyone should get involved in Relay since it not only helps raise money for a great cause, but really gets the university to bond as a whole.”
Relay for Life kicks off with the opening ceremony and lap by commemorating the lives of those who have battled cancer and honoring their strength.
Afterward, there will be a survivors lap, in which survivors and people currently affected by cancer take their turn walking the track.
Ja’Vawn Marbury, a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, is one of the many Relay for Life participants who have a family member that has been affected by cancer.
“I have an uncle, who is also the pastor of the church I attend back home in Dayton, Ohio, and he had cancer and is now cancer-free,” Marbury said. “To see him and his everyday life of being the pastor of a church as well as fighting to become cancer-free, I saw the fight in him. I see the fight in many other people as well, everyday by the friends and family I’m surrounded by.”
After the opening ceremony, caregivers are given recognition. Anyone who ever cared for someone with cancer takes a turn making a lap. Caregivers also have the chance to walk this lap with the person they helped if they are at the event.
Teams then take turns walking the track to symbolize the ongoing fight against cancer.
While taking a break from walking and allowing a fellow team member to take the track, participants are able to engage in various activities and games.
Each team sets up a themed campsite at the event and continues their fundraising efforts by collecting donations for food, goods, games, and activities. This money will count toward their overall team fundraising goal.
At the end of the event, the luminaries are lit to honor loved ones who were lost to cancer at the Luminaria Ceremony.
Each luminaria is personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing in memory of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer.
Fran Scholl, a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, said the luminaria ceremony is one of her favorite parts of the event.
“Everyone stops walking for that time and people have an open floor to open up and share stories about their experience with cancer, or someone they knew that had it,” Scholl said. “It’s very inspirational because you never know what someone is going through.”
After the luminaria ceremony, participants are given the opportunityto share their stories. This ceremony provides those who have lost someone with a sense of hope in overcoming their loss.
The closing ceremony commends every cancer survivor’s strength for the battle they either fought themselves, or helped a loved one fight. The ceremony also honors and remembers those who have passed away due to cancer.
Katie Smith, a member of Alpha Zi Delta, has been participating in Relay for Life since she was in the seventh grade back in her hometown.
“My favorite part about it is watching different students from all over UT’s campus and different student organizations come together to fight for one amazing cause,” Smith said.
Relay for Life has partnered with Chipotle on West Central Avenue and the store has donated 50% of sales from Nov. 17. Through the fundraiser, Relay for Life has raised $959.
A total of 54 teams and 1,419 participants have raised $31,685.87 so far. The money raised by UT’s Relay for Life helps the American Cancer Society in cancer education and research towards a cure.
Volunteers are being accepted up until the day of the event, Dec. 3. The price to register is $10, but will be $20 after November 30th. Donations are also accepted throughout the duration of the event.