North Greenville Univeristy goes for a walk with the American Cancer Society
Posted by The Skyliner on April 1st, 2009James Turner
Staff Writer
Ever since the immortal tales of legends like Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton, modern science has striven to explore the boundless frontiers of medicine and force back the plagues that would threaten mankind. Each of these men and women of science sacrifice of their own lives to enrich the lives of others. The doctors, the nurses, the researchers, the volunteers, they are all heroes, are they not? Well the American Cancer Association and North Greenville University are giving everyone a chance to be a hero. All you have to do is take a walk.
The excitement multiples as the hourly countdown for North Greenville’s own Relay for Life grows smaller and smaller. University senior, coordinator, and Chair for Relay for Life Brett Seay described Relay for Life not only as a fundraiser to gain financial support for cancer research, but also as a way to honor cancer survivors and remember the ones who have passed away.
“[North Greenville] has been affiliated with Relay for Life for a few years now. We’re part of the Travelers Rest Relay,” Seay said. “But this is our first year actually having an event on campus.”
Two Relays for Life will be available in the near future—one on North Greenville University’s own campus on Friday, March 27, lasting from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday morning, and one in Travelers Rest starting April 17.
“T.R. is the main relay,” Seay explained as she unraveled the specifics of the walk. “This is the first year we’ve separated from that and had our own event.”
The walk will take place either on the field outside the student services office or, provided unsuitable weather conditions, in the cafeteria. Either way, Friday night’s dinner will be wherever the relay happens to be.
“Dinner is going to be associated with Relay for Life so when people come to eat, the relay will be right there,” Seay said, hoping for sunny skies and a warm picnic.
So how can students get involved?
“We have different teams,” Seay explained. “Student services has a team, the science has a team, different dorms have a team. It’s really fun the night of the relay because every team will have their own tent and decorate it according to the theme, and this year’s theme is ‘relaywood,’ so it’s like a Hollywood theme. We want to show students this so that next year it can be even bigger with more teams.”
Seay emphasized that anyone, whether they have a team or not, is welcome to participate in the walk.
Another excellent way students can be involved with Relay for Life is to talk to their friends, family, or coworkers to spread the word about the walks and to secure pledges and donations because, in Seay’s words, “Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way. It’s a good organization to get involved with.”