The Panhellenic Council and other supporters started raisingawareness for Relay For Life on Tuesday afternoon in theHughes-Trigg Commons.
Relay is a 12-hour walk-a-thon to raise money for cancerawareness in which teams of eight to 15 people take turns walkingor running laps, keeping at least one member of the team on thetrack at all times. This year, Relay for Life will come to SMU onApril 16-17.
“We want to get the word out early and give people time toget teams together,” said Relay for Life Event Chair EliseSimonds. Simonds said that relay teams must raise $100 toparticipate in the event.
“Starting now will give people three months to raisefunds,” Simonds said. Usually, funds can be raised throughbake sales, car washes and donations.
The relay goes all night, and the upper half of Bishop Boulevardwill serve as the track around which teams will walk or jog.
Other entertainment, such as a live band, will be on the grassyarea in the middle of the Boulevard and on the main quad in frontof Dallas Hall.
Volleyball games and prize giveaways will happensimultaneously.
“Our hope is to bring students together through supportinga great cause to raise money for the American CancerSociety,” said Relay for Life Recruitment Chair KatieNicholson.
The idea came to SMU this year through the PanhellenicCouncil.
“Panhellenic just came across the idea of Relay for Life,and thought it would be a great idea to get all the houses involvedin addition to their own philanthropies,” said Simonds.
She also said that while the event is sponsored by Panhellenic,everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come.
Since 1985, the American Cancer Society has raised over $1billion in funds to combat cancer.
The event, which is held in nine different countries and on over120 campuses around the United States.
According to some statistics, in the past, single relay eventshave raised up to $130 million for the society.
For further information on how to get involved or to get a teamapplication, visit the Student Activities Center on the third floorof Hughes-Trigg or send an e-mail to [email protected].
