Relay for Life funds cancer research

IU Colleges Against Cancer had its 10th annual 24-hour Relay for Life with 36 teams and 277 participants.

The organization’s goal was to raise $35,000 after raising $18,000 last year. It ended up raising $26,000.

“All of the money goes straight to the American Cancer Society,” said Kelly Glass, president of IU Colleges Against Cancer committee. “We hope people become more aware about the fight against cancer.”

Sophomore Sarah Janssen raised $1,600 as a single participant. She said her older brother had cancer twice, but he has been in remission for two years now.

“I knew there was a cancer society from general knowledge, I guess,” Janssen said. “But when my brother had cancer, that’s when I got really involved.”

She said she sent about five emails to family friends. One email was to one of her high school teachers, who then forwarded it around town to other teachers. Pretty soon, she had a very large donation.

“This is a great cause to get involved in and a way to give back,” Janssen said. “Most people have been touched by cancer.”

Glass said people could choose to raise money in a variety of different ways. She said people could do their own fundraisers such as bake sales.

They could sell items on-site at the indoor track or they could come up with a new way to raise funds.

Phi Mu Philanthropy Chair Krista Zotos put a team of 48 sisters together to raise $2,400 for the event. She said her team had eight team leaders and 40 new initiates. They used it as a bonding experience for their chapter.

“We have been doing it for about four years,” Zotos said. “It started when a sister’s mom was diagnosed. We are excited to help.”

Zotos said several of the new members raised about $300 each when they went door to door on their dorm floors asking for spare change.

Glass said even though the walk is 24 hours, people could come and go as they wanted. Janssen said she didn’t stay the whole time, and Zotos said not all of the women stayed either, but she did.

“We wanted people to enjoy it,” Zotos said. “We aimed for people to stay for 12 hours.”

Zotos said the American Cancer Society is one of the most important causes because anyone can be diagnosed, so it is essential to find funding and do research.

“We don’t have a cure, and every little bit helps,” Zotos said. “Everyone knows someone who has or has had cancer. It is good to take a step back and to see how lucky we are.”

Zotos said she hopes other chapters will join the Relay for Life and be involved in the future.

She said that because she is the philanthropy chair, she has more connections with other chapters and thinks she can recruit more chapters for the cause.

“We want more people to participate and raise awareness,” Zotos said. “I hope it continues to grow.”