Members of UB's Relay for Life, Colleges Against Cancer chapter and a group of students participated in a music video that was filmed to promote the fight against cancer.
Although organizers had expected 100 to 200 volunteers to participate, only 25 people came out to be a part of the video on Sunday afternoon.
Filming with the group of volunteers took place in the catwalk between the Student Union and the Commons. Participants stood together and held signs with messages like "Fight Cancer" and "We Walk For Hope."
According to Julie Smith, secretary in the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement, an organization involved with UB's Relay for Life, having a group in the video shows the positive effects of people uniting for a common cause.
"We have our community, our city behind us," she said.
A2J, a local suburban rap artist and producer who wrote and performed the song entitled "Life" for the video, was happy with the level of involvement and for the opportunity to collaborate with Relay for Life.
"They've really been behind this the whole way," he said.
The video will be used by Relay for Life to promote their cause. A2J will also enter the video in the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest. According to the contest Web site, artists can submit their music video for a chance to win a distribution deal with the recording company Interscope Records.
"Life" is an inspirational song filled with hope, according to A2J.
"It's about overcoming cancer," he said. "It's for cancer survivors and people trying to live positively."
He explained that the song was inspired by his mother's battle with cancer. She passed away from breast cancer in 2003.
A2J waited nearly four years to write a song in her memory because he wanted to write a song filled with hope rather than grief.
"I didn't want to write a sad song," he said. "It hits on a heavy subject, but it's an uplifting song for people who want to have hope and need inspiration."
Smith heard A2J's music at last year's Senior Bash and contacted him about doing a song for Relay for Life.
Smith explained that Relay for Life will use the video to promote their events and the organizations it funds, such as the Hope Lodge, a center that provides support for people going through chemotherapy, and Mary's Room, which provides wigs for cancer patients.
People that came to participate in the video were asked to wear pink to support breast cancer research, or purple, the color of Relay for Life. Purple T-shirts were sold at the event, along with T-shirts with slogans such as "Treasure Your Chest." They also distributed information about cancer detection and prevention.
The shoot gave people an opportunity to register for UB's Relay for Life, which will take place in April 2008.
According to Tami Gabri, director of special events for Relay for Life, they are trying to encourage early registration and promote Relay for Life as a year-long event.
"The event isn't just for students," Gabri said. "We're looking for more faculty, staff and community involvement."
Adrienne Drago, who sang part of the chorus for the song, has known A2J for three years and has worked with him on a previous song. She was glad to be a part of something positive that has the power to affect numerous people.
"It's so good that there's a song for people with cancer. I have friends who have cancer. It's so prevalent now," Drago said. "(The song) is so inclusive. It's for mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
