A Golden Night Despite Gray Skies

The annual UGA Relay for Life turned the intramural fields  into a sea of purple and white Friday evening. Thousands of student volunteers and cancer survivors gathered in anticipation for what they hoped would be the largest amount the chapter has ever raised. But the weather didn’t cooperate.

 Relay for Life, an overnight event to benefit the American Cancer Society, raises money for cancer research, spreads cancer awareness, celebrates the lives of survivors and remembers those who have lost their lives to the disease.

The efforts of more than 3,300 student volunteers—the largest student-run philanthropy at UGA—helped rank the UGA Relay chapter as the top fundraising collegiate chapter in the country.

To kick off the event, freshman Samm Dyar was recognized as the honorary survivorship chair and told her powerful story. Dyar said she has had to undergo cancer treatments three times. One time she had a tumor the size of a volleyball removed from on her fallopian tubes. She has been in remission for three years. She told the crowd she wants to see a cure for cancer in her lifetime.

This year, the event was themed “Around the World” to recognize cancer survivors worldwide. Student groups and other local organizations set up tents on the inside of the “track” to represent different countries. Kappa Delta and Alpha Epsilon Pi held a sumo wrestling competition with giant blow-up sumo suits. Participants used their “Relay Bucks” to play and pay.

In keeping with the “Around the World” theme, the newest event was the live feed that aired on UGA Relay’s website. Junior Brooke Blake, UGA Relay’s media production chair, came up with the idea.

“My grandfather was here last year, but he couldn’t attend this year because he’s getting chemotherapy.” Blake said. “Now, my family can watch the event from where they are.”

 Organizers stopped the event around 10:30 because of rain and strong winds. Before shutting down the UGA Relay to head for shelter, the group announced a preliminary total of $412,557. Maureen Flaherty, marketing director for the event, said more money will be coming in.

According to the UGA Relay for Life website, the organization raised $316,000 last year, bringing the collective total since 1999 to more than  $2.3 million. The organization is reaching even higher this year, setting a goal of  $500,000.