Relay raises $195k for cancer research

Author: By Thomas C. Drescher

Event organizers and participants at Middlebury's third annual Relay for Life last weekend helped raise almost $200,000 to support the fight against cancer. The all-night event - celebrated as a success for the third straight year - is part of a nationwide fundraising campaign directed by the American Cancer Society. It was held from 3 p.m. on Friday to 9:30 on Saturday morning.

Two years ago, Middlebury's first-ever Relay for Life garnered upwards of $80,000, and a second Relay in 2005 more than doubled that figure, pulling in $177,000. Last year's success prompted organizers to set a $200,000 cumulative fundraising target.

"Relay has raised over $195,000 so far, and the money is still coming in," said Relay for Life 2006 Co-Chair Whitney Thomas '07.

as emphasized that donations are still being accepted as the final figure approaches its $200,000 target.

This year's Relay featured 949 registered walkers, with many unregistered participants turning out to help push the final attendance figure well over 1,200, according to an estimate offered by Thomas and other event organizers.

Each registered team organized walking shifts to maintain a continuous march. College students, faculty, staff and members of the local community joined forces to form 78 registered teams, many of which featured curious names inspired by this year's theme, "Relay 2006, Saving the World From Cancer."

Friday night's opening ceremonies featured moving speeches by Governor Jim Douglas and College President Ronald D. Liebowitz, and a number of other addresses by local community members who wished to share their experiences as patients and caregivers. They, along with other survivors and caregivers, were then invited to participate in a special "Luminaria Ceremony" featuring performances by the College's Chamber Singers and String Quartet.

The ceremony was designed to honor the struggle of cancer victims and survivors and to promote awareness, according to Thomas. Luminaria, or candles placed in small paper bags, were purchased for $5 donations and used to light the track in honor of cancer victims and survivors. Additional luminaria were strategically placed on the nearby stadium bleachers to spell out the candle-lit word "HOPE."

"Along with fundraising, the goal of Relay for Life is to provide a supportive environment and a healing service for anyone touched by cancer," said Relay For Life 2006 Co-Chair Lee Corbett '07 in an official College press release last week. "The relay gives us the opportunity to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer, give hope to those still fighting and honor those who have survived."

Despite its potentially daunting time frame, Relay For Life featured a host of live entertainment options throughout the night, including performances by Riddim, Generation Today/Vermont (GT/VT) Breakers, and a capella groups the Mamajamas and the Miscords. Some of the night's more engaging components included numerous themed laps around the field - the "Silent Lap," the "Crazy Hat Lap" and the "Wedding Lap," among others - as well as a Hoola Hoop contest and two "Kids Hour" sessions orchestrated by Relay Youth Liaison Committee Chair Danielle Levine '07. A few fortunate participants won raffle items such as day passes for the Snow Bowl and Ralph Myhre Golf Course and a chocolate flower bouquet.

Top individual fundraisers included Kristen Deane '06 ($5085), Maura Casey '07 ($3,995) and Assistant Professor of Biology Jeremy Ward ($3810), who also walked the third-highest number of laps (59).

"Pirates of the Diamond," led by Casey and Ward, raised $10,305 to earn second place team honors. "Life Sciences" ran a close third with $10,191, and "The Ova Chicks," comprised mainly of College staffers and headed by CAOS/Academic Department Coordinator Renee Brown, raised an astounding $13,958.

Speaking to Relay's success, Thomas said, "All of the participants involved - the volunteers, the Committee members, the speakers and the donors - came together for a common goal: helping to cure cancer. An event like this gives so much hope that a cure is in sight and that the lives of those currently battling the disease will improve. The money raised at this event was tremendous. It is encouraging to realize that a small school in the middle of Vermont can aid in the battle against one of the world's most common enemies and make such a huge difference in the process."