Success at Relay For Life

Alfred University’s Relay For Life, a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, was met with enthusiasm by the student and village communities.

The night-long rally against cancer generated $12,400 dollars for the American Cancer Society. The turnout for Relay For Life was modest compared to previous years, having only 85 attendees. However, the donations per capita were the most Alfred University has ever seen produced by the event.

Megan McKee, a coordinator of the event stated, “We had about half the amount of registered participants as we have in years past, but we raised more money per person than ever before.”

According to www.relayforlife.org, Relay began in 1985 with Dr. Gordy Klatt, a surgeon from Tacoma, Washington who ran for 24 hours in order to generate money for the fight against cancer. Since this auspicious beginning, the initiative has grown to include 21 nations and localities throughout the United States and the AU community.

Monetary success was not the only highlight of Relay’s night. Although the turnout for the March 27 event was not as large as years past, the 50 people who stayed the duration of the night set the AU record for most participants to do so as they walked through the 6:00 a.m. finishing hour.

“There were several people walking throughout the night and everyone participated in the activities we had, including a 'Miss Relay' drag contest for the guys, several theme laps, based on our international "Relay Around the World" theme, and line dancing at almost 4:00 a.m.,” said McKee.

McKee thanks all the members of Alfred's community who attended the 2010 Relay for Life and invites more faces and feet to walk for the cause next year.

Donations are still being accepted on the Relay website www.relayforlife.org/alfreduniversity for all who are interested in giving to the drive against cancer.