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Friday, March 29, 2024
The independent student publication of The University at Buffalo, since 1950

The Fight Against Cancer

Here at UB, there are a myriad of students from different corners of the globe. Although each student may embody a different culture, the threat of cancer is universal.

On Saturday, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., various organizations flooded Alumni Arena with three passions: to celebrate cancer survivors, remember the loved ones who lost their battles, and fight against the disease by searching for a cure at the sixth-annual Relay For Life.

"One World Against Cancer!" is the theme of this year's relay and 176 teams each chose a different country to symbolize. Each of these teams decorated a table based on their country and found creative ways to fundraise for the American Cancer Society (ACS).

A $10 fee was required for registration in advance and a $20 fee if one registered at the door. All the proceeds went to the ACS, a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization. Stationed in Atlanta, Ga., there are 12 chartered divisions and more than 900 local offices. More than 5,100 communities are involved with the ACS.

At 6 p.m., Juliana Jaramillo, the president of the UB Against Cancer club, began the opening ceremonies. She revealed that so far $58,000 was raised, which was only $18,270 away from UB's highest record. With a total of 1,538 participants, only $12 per person was needed to reach the goal. After opening ceremonies was the survivor's lap, where each survivor at the relay wore a purple shirt and took a lap around the track.

"It's very touching, but at the same time overwhelming because everyone is watching you," said Donna Czaja, a cancer survivor who was attending the relay at UB for a second year." Seeing people's faces was inspirational and it definitely gives off a positive feeling."

Students stood up on the stage to sing hopeful songs, and the Dazzlers and Kickline team performed for entertainment. Teams stood around and did dances such as the Cotton Eyed Joe and the Cha Cha Slide, which inspired an optimistic vibe throughout the arena.

Throughout the night, members from each team were walking around a track surrounded by luminarias, which are white paper bags that are used to symbolize the remembrance of one who lost his battle against cancer or the honoring of a survivor.

Around 10 p.m., the luminaria ceremony began. The crowd watched a slide show and participants discussed how they felt when they lost a loved one to cancer. After each person spoke, each participant took a moment to remember all of those who were lost to the disease.

Organizations were recognized for donating over a certain amount of money. The gold-level fundraiser, which was the team that raised the most amount of money, is Campus Dining and Shops (CDS). They raised $5,994.26 by connecting to friends and family, selling cupcakes at Perks and Sizzles, and having pie-in-the-face contests.

According to Lois Cultriera, a Perks employee in the Ellicott Complex, the members of CDS felt passionately about the cause because one of their co-workers has stage-four cancer in four different areas of her body.

The single participant that raised the most money on her own was Catherine Brown, the human resource director and a member of the CDS team. Although this was her first year attending the relay, she raised $1,092 by reaching out to her friends and family.

"My husband had cancer; he was diagnosed when our son was three months old and was treated for two years," Brown said. "That's what made me passionate and that's why I was able to raise so much money."

People were able to stop at each organization's table in order to donate money and participate in events. The Mortar Board, which is an on-campus honor society, chose the U.S. Virgin Islands as its country. Members made virgin cocktails, hosted sand castle building contests, and charged $2 for a 15-minute nap in a hammock. They raised around $500 prior to the relay and have participated in the event each year.

"Everyone has been affected by cancer in one way, shape, or form," said Liz Sherman, a member of Mortar and a senior communication, French, and psychology major. "That's what keeps our society coming back each year."

The various organizations that supported the relay – such as Student Life, The Villas at Chestnut Ridge, Sweet Home Apartments, The Student Association, Campus Tees, UB Athletics, University Police, CDS, The Wellness Center, and WRUB – were all recognized for giving an outstanding amount of help and support.

Finally, the fight-back portion of the night consisted of each participant making a personal promise to be committed to the fight against cancer.

Email: features@ubspectrum.com


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