Currently saving 350 lives a day through donations to the American Cancer Society (ACS), Toni Herrmann, staff partner of ACS, says that's not enough. "We want to do more. We want to get to 1,000 lives per day."
On Jan. 25 in the Lankford Student Union Ballroom, the Relay for Life Committee and ACS organized the first Relay Rally of the 2012 semester. With a positive, determined and hard-working atmosphere, the first Relay Rally was the perfect kick off to a new year of fundraising for a good cause. This year, the theme of Relay for Life is "Send cancer to jail. Don't let it pass Go," based on the board game Monopoly.
The Relay Rally featured performances by FIERCE, Blue Heat and a singing performance by Nancy McDonald with a Longwood University-themed parody of Wiz Khalifa's song "Black and Yellow."
Many opportunities were given to guests as they walked through the doors, including an opportunity to give an optional $2 donation to Relay for Life. Ice breaker activities and prizes, such as Relay for Life pens, notebooks and hats, were given throughout the night, maintaining an upbeat, excited atmosphere.
Laptops were displayed on tables and available for use to be able to sign up that night. If teams and individuals decided to sign up that night at the event, a free T-shirt from past Relay for Life events was generously given to each new committed individual.
Another last minute opportunity was given to participants, including last bids on spots for a Longwood Monopoly board that is to be printed on the backs of navy blue 2012 Relay for Life T-shirts. Each spot was bid at a minimum of $2 to $5, all contributions made to Relay for Life.
Herrmann noted that in the year 2011, Longwood University raised over $68,000, while this year, the goal has been raised to $75,000. "I know if anyone can do it, it's Longwood University," she said.
Being "the second largest funder of cancer research next to the federal government," ACS provides for cancer education, free wigs, free prostheses, a help call line (i.e., 1-800-ACS2345), an on call dietician, support groups, and the Hope Lodge.
"What the Hope Lodge is is a home away from home for cancer patients and their families when they're going through cancer treatment and their treatment center is too far from home for travel.
They can stay in a Hope Lodge completely free of charge, and that's all thanks to the money that you're raising … And they can stay in a Hope Lodge for as long as they need to," Herrmann stated.
While addressing ACS's call line, Herrmann said, "If you know anyone going through a cancer diagnosis or treatment right now, have them call that number, and they can receive any number of our programs that are 100 percent free of charge."
Matt Froestad, a member of the Relay for Life Committee and host of the event, said, "The thing about cancer is that everyone is affected by it in one way or the other, either your family has it, you have it or a friend has it, but everybody knows someone who's had cancer, and that sets their lives in some way."
On the Relay for Life website, one can view the statistics for participants, teams and the total amount of money raised by Longwood University students, clubs and organizations and be astounded at the numbers that never cease to stop growing. While on Jan. 25, the night of the Relay Rally, there were 104 participants, 22 teams and $4,141 raised. On Jan. 30, only five days later, there were 168 participants, 35 teams and $7,883 raised.
Herrmann said, "I just want you all to know that the money that you're raising when you do Relay for Life and you walk … is really making a difference to people with cancer. One in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in his or her lifetime. So, that's why we all need to grow together and support this cause."
The next Relay Rally will be on Wednesday, Feb. 29 in the student union Ballroom. Every Relay Rally is a "bank night" where participants and teams are able to deposit money that has been raised thus far. The next Relay Rally will be an event filled with "a lot of information and useful tips," said Froestad.
"As you know, your team is responsible for doing [a] fundraiser before the event and the night of the event," informed Froestad. "Each team will fundraise, usually sell something – the team makes bracelets, they sell hot dogs, hamburgers, stuff like that … For the most part, all the fundraisers need to be approved by the student union if they're gonna be held here on campus by an on-campus organization"
On the Longwood University Relay for Life Facebook page, one is able to view new information on events and opportunities for winning prizes in challenges, such as the New Year's Challenge where teams could win a Relay for Life cooler if able to attain at least 12 members by midnight on Jan. 28.
To sign up for Relay for Life T-shirts, one may sign up online at the Relay for Life website by March 12.
If unsure of where to start or how to fundraise, the Relay for Life Committee is open to help any students in need of help. Meanwhile, Froestad suggests students to, "Go out there. Promote. Talk to your friends. Get them all to sign up"
If interested in being a part of Relay for Life, sign up at www.relayforlife.org/longwood. Relay for Life listings of teams, participants and those with the highest raised donation amounts are also available online.
