College Times

The track at ASU's Sun Angel Stadium transformed into a glowing ring of light last week and brought together groups of students, families, organizations and businesses touched by cancer in a 12-hour, overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

The event, Relay for Life, has become a signature event in the Valley's student community. During it, groups take turns walking or jogging laps, aiming to keep at least one member on the track at all times, while remembering those lost to cancer, celebrating survivorship and sharing memories and experiences with one another.

"I think its fun that it's an all night thing," freshman Kendra Blackford said.

"It's cool because people are telling stories and everybody stays together the whole night," she said. "This is my first relay in Arizona because I usually participate in Montana with my best friend and her mom who survived breast cancer."

Excitement built through the night as tents popped up and crowds of sororities and fraternities congregated in matching sweatshirts on the lawn. A lap was dedicated to survivors and a luminaria ceremony was held to remember those killed by cancer.

The relay aims to give participants the power to help the fight against cancer by raising money to reach a combined fundraising goal of $100,000. This year, Blackford topped the list of highest fundraisers, individually raising $3,550 for the event.

"My family donated a lot because we had family members that were affected by cancer," the 19-year-old accounting major said. Blackford's great uncle died at 19 from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, while another great uncle survived Hodgkin's lymphoma and her great grandmother beat a battle with breast cancer.

Her family donated through Blackford's online website after receiving personal e-mails about the purpose of her fundraising efforts. This motivation from family members largely contributed to Blackford's success; however, the Alpha Phi sorority member admits the competition of ASU's annual Greek Week added a competitive edge.

"The whole reason we got into it is because of Greek Week," Blackford said. "It's kind of a competition between houses and over half of our house total is mine and one other girl's fundraising combined."

Fraternities and sororities made up 80 percent of the top 10 fundraising groups from this year's event, contributing $43,631. Blackford's sorority, Alpha Phi, raised $8,505, which earned them the third place spot for top group fundraisers.

Relay for Life is not confined to the boundaries of Sun Angel Stadium.

Throughout the country various relay events during the year continue to celebrate, remember and hope until one day a cure for cancer is found.

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