It might have been the longest walk any of them had taken, but 700 students, faculty and community members teamed up to walk through the night Friday to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life - in its second year at UB - paid tribute to those who have lost their battles with cancer and provided a source of hope and support for those who continue to fight the disease.
Last year the UB Relay for Life hosted 50 teams with 500 participants who raised a total of $50,000. This year, coordinators were very pleased with statistics, as 71 teams registered for the event, 150 more participants and 20 more teams than last year.
According to event committee members, this weekend's relay raised $50,000 again, but that number will be higher after all the donation figures are finalized and other contributions, like via online, are included.
"Participants and teams have increased by 25 percent compared to last year," said Karyn Phelan, the faculty chair in charge of entertainment and onsite activities. "We're very proud that we've been able to spread the word. People have opened up, and I think it's wonderful."
Phelan added that the majority of money raised at UB would benefit local programs in the Buffalo area.
"Ninety percent raised goes back to the Western New York community, through research initiatives, education, advocacy efforts and patient and family services, such as the Hope Lodge in Buffalo and the Wig Room," she said.
Hope Lodge is a free temporary housing facility residence for cancer patients who are undergoing treatment, and the Wig Room is a service run by volunteers who provide wigs for female cancer patients.
Meghan Kennedy is a veteran of Relay for Life, serving as a team captain for three years at her high school chapter. Now a sophomore accounting major, she emphasized the significance of having an event of such magnitude at an institution like UB.
"It is important, especially for UB students," she said. "Even though they are not from Buffalo, they can go home and raise money in other places. It shows passion and determination."
Friday's event allowed cancer survivors and their supporters to come together and share stories and experiences while simultaneously fighting for a cure.
The event started off with speeches from representatives of the American Cancer Society Community Executive and included words of encouragement from UB men's basketball coach Reggie Witherspoon.
After the speeches, the cancer survivors took the first lap.
"It's awesome because we're having fun and raising money to help find a cure," said Fiona Dutta, a cancer survivor. "I hope to meet other survivors, so we can share stories."
Activities for the relay began around 7 p.m. and wrapped up at dawn. Although the object was to keep one person walking around the track at all times, it is not a sports event.
"I would compare it to a carnival or festival before an athletic event," Rzeplecki said.
Performers and a variety of foods gave the Relay for Life added entertainment and sustenance for the continuous walking. While luminary bags were being lit to represent those lost to cancer, performers took the stage. The Impulse Dance Force danced to "Amazing Grace" and the Mixed Nuts sang a medley of songs.
Later, poems were read and participants and guests came down to the track. At 10 p.m. the lights were lowered and the participants and guests got a chance to walk around the track and pay homage to the memory of people close to them that passed away due to cancer.
"I am here in memory of my aunt who died of cancer," said Jennifer Auchu, a junior sociology major.
The fundraiser is the brainchild of Dr. Gordy Klatt of Tacoma, Wash., and was first created in 1985 when Klatt's family and friends pledged to donate money for every lap he walked. The event quickly caught on and is continually growing on a national and even worldwide scale.
"Twenty-two different countries participate, with 4,800 Relays across the country," said Jennifer Rzeplecki, an American Cancer Society community executive. "There are more Relays for Life in this country than there are Starbuck's and McDonald's combined."
Along with the pure enjoyment of the event by forming relay groups with friends, students realized the importance of the night.
"We have to keep fighting it and raising money for research to find a cure," said Michelle Balsan, a third-year law student.
The reason for walking through the night was to emphasize that the fight against cancer should not end until a cure is found.
"The reason the walk happens during the night is to remind us that cancer never stops and we shouldn't either," Balsan said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
