Students rally early for Relay

Author: Emily Feldman

It is difficult to believe that two years ago, when Ross Lieb-Lappen '07 decided to bring Relay for Life to Middlebury, he envisioned it growing into the phenomenon it has become. Not surprisingly, Middlebury students embraced the concept of an all night walk for Cancer research and support and Relay for Life at Middlebury has quickly blossomed into a spring-time tradition. This year's events, scheduled to take place Aprail 28 and 29, are projected to solidify the strong presence and continued success of Relay for Life on campus and in the Middlebury community.

Relay for Life began as one man's independent project and has grown into an international organization, aimed at supporting cancer research and patients. In 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt solicited sponsors to support his running around a track in Tacoma, Wash. for 24 hours, covering over 83 miles and raising $27,000 for his local American Cancer Society. While running, he envisioned how he could get more people involved, and shortly thereafter he put together the first Relay for Life planning committee. The program has since spread to 4,300 sites across the United States, as well as to other nations such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia and Venezuela. International programs aim to increase general cancer awareness and outreach, while ensuring that communities are able to sustain continued Relay for life Programs.

Last year's Relay at Middlebury raised $177,831, which was distributed to research organizations as well as American Cancer Society programs such as Road to Recovery, Look Good Feel Better and HOPE lodge. This amount represented an over 115 percent growth from the 2004 relay which raised $84,205. Highlights of the weekend included notable speakers - Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and Congressman Bernie Sanders, as well as addresses from cancer survivors and caregivers. The 2005 Relay at Middlebury was declared as the Nationwide Highest Per Capita Youth Event, New England's Highest Growth Rate for Youth event and was recognized for New England Online Fundraising Excellence.

This year's event may be two months away, but students have already begun raising awareness in the Middlebury community. This year's co-chairs, Lee Corbett '07 and Whitney Thomas '07.5, are focused on expanding the program at Middlebury and getting faculty, staff and community members involved. Their goal is to register 85 teams, up from last year's 76. They currently have 35 teams registered and have raised a total of almost $10,000. These statistics are above their positions at this point last year, which bodes well for the success of the program. The Relay for Life committee held two kick-off events this winter, where team captains talked about their experiences and were available to answer student questions about how the event is run. Students were also able to sign up their teams at the kick-off events. Corbett and Thomas also asked upperclassmen to wear their old Relay T-shirts on Monday Feb. 27 to spread awareness and get students involved.

"I want this to be a common thing. I think everyone from first-years to seniors should know what Relay means because it's such an important event. Almost everyone has had some experience with cancer or will have one in the future, " Corbett said. To this end, Corbett and Thomas have changed the format of the fundraising committee to include individual sponsorship and fundraising committees as well as a larger youth component. Danielle Levine '08 is chairing a committee aimed at increasing participation from community businesses and youth. Some of the proposed plans include two specific kids' hours as well as games, races and scavenger hunts set up throughout the weekend. There will also be entertainment throughout the night provided by college and community groups. Thomas commented, "We also want to get more faculty involved and are encouraging academic departments to build teams. An inter-Bi-Hall competition could be interesting, Chemistry versus Biology, perhaps?"

Corbett and Thomas are eager and excited about taking control of this year's planning. "We lost a lot of committee members, because people went abroad. But it's great to have new ideas floating around" Corbett added. Thomas agreed: "Sometimes I wake up at 3 a.m. and have an idea that I just need to write down."

To learn more about Relay and how you can get involved, visit the Relay for Life Web site at www.acsevents.org/relay/vtmiddlebury or e-mail relayforlife@middlebury.edu (x6294). All participants who register online before March 2 are guaranteed a Relay for Life T-shirt. "Even if you can't make it to the Relay, spread the word to your friends, help a team raise money and become a part of Relay for Life's legacy at Middlebury," said Corbin and Thomas.