Instead of taking a stroll on the boardwalk, over a 1,100 people chose to walk the tracks of Alumni Arena for a good cause.
Over $55,000 have been collected for the American Cancer Society (ACS) through Saturday's UB Relay For Life (RFL) event. The grand total for the university has not been calculated because donations are still rolling in, according to RFL committee member Carly Clemons, a sophomore sociology major.
"The RFL is an opportunity for the UB community to celebrate the people they know that have been affected by cancer, remember their loved ones that have been lost, and fight back against a disease that has taken so many lives," said Tami Gabri, ACS director of special events.
Alumni Arena was transformed into a fundraising facility where teams of UB students, university members and community members camped out to raise money and awareness about cancer. This year, 121 teams registered for the event, the largest number of teams ever to participate at UB's event.
The doors opened at 4 p.m. for people to decorate their campsites with pillows, blankets and tents for the overnight event. Teams also set up stands and activities on their campsites to raise money to give to the ACS at the end of the event. Many teams offered people the chance to play board games, Guitar Hero and soda pong in exchange for donations.
At 7 p.m., the event officially opened with the Survivor's Lap, when cancer survivors walked or ran the track symbolizing their conquering of the disease. As the first lap finished, teams had to keep a team member on the track at all times during the event, which ended at 6 a.m. the next morning.
After taking many laps around the track and partaking in the festivities of the event, things slowed down and lights were dimmed at 9:30 p.m. for the Luminaria Ceremony.
Participants held glowing bags to honor cancer survivors and those who died of cancer.
"I participated in this event in memory of my grandmother who passed away 14 years ago from cancer. It's a great cause and event and each year we are a step closer to finding a cure," said Christine Han, a senior communication major.
A moment of silence commenced and Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" played during the ceremony. The candles of the ceremony were left to burn throughout the night as a reminder of the volunteer's important role in the fight against cancer.
Many students came out to have fun with friends and to fundraise for charity.
"It's a good way to bring the community together and have fun while
promoting cancer awareness," said Amy Vongwattanakit, a senior psychology major.
Even students not directly affected by cancer had reason to show up and make a difference.
"I haven't been directly affected by this disease, but it is important to do events like this to increase awareness for such worthy causes," said David Jacobs, a graduate student in pharmacy.
RFL is the organization's signature event and the world's largest not-for-profit fundraising event. The event is always held overnight to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps. Since the first RFL event in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., people have raised more than $2.5 billion.
"All the money raised at the event stays in Western New York. We fund research at UB and at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute," Gabri said.
Donations can still be made to the ACS on the RFL Web site cancer.org until August 1, 2008.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
