“Seawolves Against Cancer” is fighting for a world with more birthdays. It will host the annual Relay for Life walk on April 27 in the Sports Complex to raise money for the fight against cancer.
The Relay for Life differs from other disease-driven walks in that it lasts all night. The walk starts at 6 p.m. and continues until 6 a.m. At least one representative from each team is required to walk at all times throughout the night.
“The overnight aspect is very symbolic because the whole point is that cancer never sleeps,” sophomore health sciences major Katerina Rockford, a co-chair of the event, said.
The relay event will involve three ceremonies. The opening ceremony will feature the event’s co- chairs, Rockford and Katelyn O’Connor who will speak about planning the SBU Relay for Life; Pamela Parker, a representative from the American Cancer Society; a survivor and a caregiver.
During the Luminaria ceremony, participants will walk around the track in the dark. Luminaria bags with names of people that have been affected by cancer are to be placed around the track, set to guide the way. Participants can buy bags throughout the night.
“Everyone comes together at the end of the night; everyone’s exhausted,” Rockford said. “We’re still pumped. We’re so excited that we got through the end of the night and it’s almost as if we’ve suffered together through the hardness.”
After many years without a campus Relay for Life program, students chose to bring the fundraising walk back to SBU in 2011. The students formed the “Seawolves Against Cancer” club to promote the event.
Last year, the SBU Relay for Life brought 250 participants and was dubbed to have had the number one rookie relay. As of Saturday afternoon, about 410 people signed up to take part in this year’s relay. The planning committee is hoping for 450 walkers for the actual event.
As of Saturday, the SBU Relay for Life raised $27,000 to donate to the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer donates money to mentally and physically improve quality of life for cancer patients and college scholarships for survivors.
During the event, the Relay for Life committee has activities planned for those who are not walking. Plans include bake sales, a powerlifting competition, a fundraising game of musical chairs, possibly a dunk tank and a Chinese auction.
There will also be a drag show beauty pageant. Part of the pageant will involve the contestants attempting to seduce the crowd to donate more money to Relay for Life.
In addition, the Pipettes, the SBU Dance Team, Belly Dancers and TwoCentSam (an off-campus band) will perform.
Seawolves Against Cancer have recruited various clubs and organizations from around the campus community, such as Quad fellows and various Greek organizations to raise money for the event.
