by The Cowl Editor on April 19, 2018
Campus
by Hannah Langley ’21
News Staff
In one way or another, cancer has affected almost everyone today. In response to this, Providence College’s Colleges Against Cancer is holding its annual Relay for Life event, a fun-filled day of activities aimed at raising money for cancer research.
Relay for Life is an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society that helps to not only promote cancer awareness, but raises money towards cancer research in the effort to “save lives, celebrate life, and lead the fight for a world without cancer,” as stated on the Relay for Life website.
This nationwide event is held at various schools and in various communities through the effort of people and students, like Rachel Fischer ’18 and Megan Yaeger ’19, who care deeply about finding the cure to this terrible disease. With the help of the PC administration, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, Fischer and Yaeger have been able to continue the tradition of holding the Relay for Life at PC.
Throughout the day, activities such as lawn games and fun races will be taking place, as well as performances from entertainment clubs, including PC’s A Cappella Club, the Dance Team, and Motherland Dance Group. There will also be open exercise classes, such as Zumba and yoga. One difference in this year’s relay, Yaeger mentioned, was the decision to have it throughout the day, rather than overnight, as has been done in the past. Yaeger believes that by having the event during the day, it will “bring a new, refreshed energy to the event and hopefully bring in more participants.” She says they are “excited about the change and hopes the PC community is as well.”
To promote awareness and participation in the event, tables were set up in Slavin Student Center and Raymond Dining Hall throughout the week, where students could learn more about how to register and donate. Any previously registered student who raised $100 or more was invited to a special event on Wednesday night where they received a Relay for Life T-shirt to wear to the event.
Many students have already registered and even created teams for the event in an effort to raise money towards cancer research. For many students, such as Kelly Galeota ’21, fundraising and taking part in the event has a special meaning. “My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was five-years-old and diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer throughout her body a year and a half ago,” explained Galeota. “Relay for Life means so much to me, because the community gets to come together as a team to support all people who are fighting this horrible disease.” Galeota’s mother, Sue, is just one of the many people affected by cancer, and PC’s Relay for Life will help benefit not only her life, but the lives of many.
PC’s Relay for Life will be taking place on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Smith Lawn. Students can still register for the event for $20, which will go towards the donation to the American Cancer Society, by signing up at http://www.relayforlife.org/PC.