On April 11, Tech will be hosting its tenth Relay for Life event. Relay for Life raises money towards finding a cure for cancer; the philanthropic organization also seeks to raise awareness through various events.
Teams will be camping out on the George C. Griffin Track; members of teams take turns walking the track at all times in an informal “relay,” reminiscent of a relay race. All proceeds from the event go towards the American Cancer Society.
“Cancer is unfortunately something that touches us all, so it’s really great to see the Georgia Tech community come together for such an incredible cause,” Amy Bonecutter, a Tech 2014 alumna and Team Captain Mentor for
Relay, said.
The six-hour event will feature a wide variety of activities, from high-energy performances to more serious ceremonies. DanceTech, SympVibes, Goldrush and the Golden Girl are all scheduled to provide entertainment. Ceremonies will take place both in commemoration of those who lost their lives to cancer and in celebration of the survivors who defeated the disease. Special track laps are planned throughout the evening, including a lap for survivors of cancer as well as a fun conga line lap.
Wrek Radio will be narrating the event, which begins at 4 p.m. and lasts until 10 p.m.
There will also be plenty of food available as well as a giant inflatable Buzz for every Tech student’s mascot needs.
“Relay for Life is huge for me because I know a lot of people affected by cancer, and I’m also a cancer survivor,” Madeline Gaffney, second-year and Luminaria and Ceremonies Chair for the Relay for Life event, said. “[I hope the event] will show Tech students that we can make a difference in the lives of so many if we just step up to the plate and contribute our time and donations to this amazing cause.”
The dedicated committee of students have been hard at work putting together the event this year. Jess Podoloff, the Event’s Chair, also shared details regarding the process of planning an event of this large a scale.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with administration, faculty, staff, students and the surrounding Atlanta community, all of whom have been overwhelmingly supportive,” Podoloff said. “It is going to be a very memorable night as we all line the track and walk together as one.”
With over fifty teams and nearly four hundred participants registered, Relay for Life has currently raised over $20,000 for their charity, the American Cancer Society. In addition to cancer research, the money will help transport patients to and from their treatments, provide accommodations for their families near their hospitals and treatment centers and promote support programs for those diagnosed with cancer.