On April 9, Panhellenic will sponsor SMU’s seventh annual Relay For Life. According to the Relay For Life Web site, 67 teams have already been formed and $13,625 has been raised.
Relay acknowledges lives affected by cancer—the fight, the survivorship and the loss. Teams of eight to 15 members raise money to participate in festivities on Bishop Boulevard from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Members from the teams alternate walking the length of the Boulevard to embody the idea that cancer never sleeps. Organizations from the SMU and Dallas community have already begun to unite in fundraising efforts.

Last Wednesday, Crème de la Cookie in Snider Plaza donated 10 percent of their proceeds between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. to the cause. Kayla Klingseisen, co-chair for Relay stated that the committee plans to pair up with other restaurants and shops in the near future to continue raising money this way.

Sororities are also engaging in friendly competition to raise money for their teams through a penny war.

“Whichever sorority makes the most money in pennies will collect all of the money from their competitors to go toward their team,” Klingseisen said.

SMU hosts the only Relay event in its section of Dallas. In years past the community’s support for the event has been evident in an eagerness to raise as much money for the American Cancer Society as possible.

Those battling this disease, as well as survivors, are encouraged to attend a banquet before the event and are then offered the first lap around the Boulevard.

Activities for the event include live music, a performance by the Mustang Mavericks, a wing-eating contest and the annual “Mr. Relay” pageant. To start a team today log onto www.relayforlife.org/smutx and start raising that money.