Relay For Life aims to raise $74,000

More than 700 IU students and faculty will share a track and a cause this weekend at IU’s fourth annual Relay For Life.\nWith 58 registered teams, the American Cancer Society event aims to raise more than $74,000 – about $6,000 more than last year’s total – for cancer research, advocacy and education.\n“It’s bittersweet,” said Andrea Curtis, American Cancer Society staff partner for IU’s Relay For Life. “It’s good because we come together in the fight against cancer, but sad because you see so many people come together because they’ve been affected by the disease.”\nTeam members, who’ve been raising money all semester for the cause, will be at the event for its entirety – from 4 p.m. March 31 to 9 a.m. April 1 at the Billy Hayes track. They will even be spending the night in tents near the track, which is located north of Armstrong Stadium. In raising money, the participants pledged their time to be at the event, where dialogue is raised about cancer prevention and education.\nNon-participants are encouraged to attend the event’s highlights, including opening remarks from assistant football coach Bill Lynch and a Rock Out Cancer Awareness Concert, featuring live music from regional bands from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The general public can also make donations at the registration table and through “canners,” who will be collecting spare change at the track.\nStill, the main purpose of the event is to create cancer awareness and honor or remember those who have survived, or died from cancer.\nThe event’s traditional Luminaria Ceremony promises to be especially moving, said event development co-chair Lauren Sharo, a sophomore. At dusk, lighted candles in paper bags bought by friends and family of cancer patients will line the track. \nThis year, Miss Indiana Betsy Uschkrat and Miss IU Lindsey Roscoe will kick off the ceremony, while IU psychology researcher Tessa Bent, who’s also a breast cancer survivor, will be the featured speaker.\n“Anyone who has known anyone with cancer will find this meaningful,” said senior Mike Grady, IU Relay For Life’s team development chair, adding that luminaries can still be purchased at the event before the ceremony.\nIU Relay For Life president Cindy Morse said the event will also feature some lighthearted fun, including Oreo eating contests and corn hole tournaments.\nSenior Kevin Falik said his team, Zeta Beta Tau, will bring Frisbees and footballs to help pass the time. This is ZBT’s second year to be a part of Relay For Life, and so far team members have raised more than $7,000.\nWhile the event serves as one of the chapter’s main philanthropic endeavors, it also has personal meaning. Falik said he knows of several ZBT members, including himself, who have seen a loved one die of cancer.\n“Everybody’s affected by cancer,” he said.\nTo learn more about IU’s Relay For Life or to make a donation online, visit www.Acsevents.org/relay/in/iu.