Purple streamers, balloons, and posters scattered across campus. Enthusiastic relayers, emphatically jumping and shouting inside Lower, eagerly trying to recruit new members. A simple table in Mac, cloaked in purple, with luminarias and baked goods for sale. BC undergrads sporting purple t-shirts displaying the slogan, “We’re in it for the happy ending.” Who is behind all of this? Three compassionate individuals, each with their own unique connection to Relay for Life.
The event’s co-chairs Katie Kearsey ‘11, Dani Rosato ‘11, and Kevin Porter ‘11, worked tirelessly to make sure this year’s Relay for Life at BC was bigger and better than ever. Between conference calls over the summer and 10-15 hours each week planning, these three seniors have been incredibly busy.
For an event that only lasts 12 hours, it seems unbelievable that so much time and planning has gone into Relay. It seems to have taken over the lives of the co-chairs.
“We spend at least 3 hours with our amazingly dedicated staff partner from the American Cancer Society each week and 2 hours with our sub-committee chairs. Then we have tables in McElroy, a capella concerts, team captain’s meetings, letter writing campaigns, and other events to raise awareness that take up at least 2-3 extra hours each week,” said Dani. “If I’m not meeting for Relay, it’s definitely on my mind or I’m checking the statistics on our webpage.”
They set their sights high this year, setting goals to raise $140,000 and to reach 100 teams and 1,500 participants.
“Fundraising efforts are on par with efforts in years past,” explained Katie. “We are shooting for $140,000 and are confident we will reach that goal, if not at Relay, then shortly after.”
BC’s Relay for Life event was initiated just four years ago, after having participated in a joint event with other Boston schools in the past. All three co-chairs began their BC Relay experience as freshmen and were able to help organize and create an event that has quickly become an important, annual tradition at BC. Before coming to BC, however, the co-chairs each had previous experience with Relay For Life. Dani began relaying in the 7th grade when a close friend of hers was diagnosed with Lymphoma.
“At the time it seemed impossible that someone my age could be battling such a scary and life-threatening disease. My friend Victoria remained extremely strong throughout her treatment and into remission and got all of our friends together to form a Relay for Life team.”
Dani’s reason for relaying has shifted this year to her Uncle John, who lost his battle against a rare form of skin cancer called Adenocarcinoma this past November.
“He was one of the kindest and well-humored men I have had the privilege of having in my life. His passion for life and his family was truly inspirational and he did not take a second of his life for granted. However, cancer can work quickly and unexpectedly even on a seemingly healthy, strong, and vibrant man like my uncle. His relentless fight against such a debilitating disease has renewed my passion for the mission of the American Cancer Society and for the success of Relay for Life events around the world.”
The Heightsmen performing at BC’s Relay for Life on February 18, 2011.
Katie has been participating in Relay For Life since she was a sophomore in high school. She relayed in her local community with a group of friends to honor her grandfather, whom she lost to lung cancer when she was in first grade.
“I was deeply touched by the survivor lap, and also the luminaria ceremony, in which bags containing candles spelled out ‘HOPE’ on the bleachers at dusk. It was very moving to see the triumph on the survivors’ faces as they took their victory lap around the track, which was also lined with candle-lit luminaria bags to honor and remember those who had fought cancer.”
This year’s Relay for Life at BC was Hollywood-themed, which allowed teams to have some fun and dress up like their favorite characters from movies and TV shows. A variety of a cappella, dance, and comedy groups performed and countless games and activities took place from 6pm on Friday all the way to 6am on Saturday. One of the most exciting events of the night was a speech by AnnMarie Morse, the mother of a girl who inspired Michelle’s Law, which guarantees that college students can keep their medical insurance in times of extreme medical crises. Overall, the event was extremely touching and compassionate, and brought together not only the BC community, but the surrounding survivor community as well.
Even though this year’s Relay for Life event is over, there are still many ways to help and get involved. Donations will be accepted until August at www.bcrelay.org. In addition, keep an eye out for events in the spring to raise awareness and provide information for cancer prevention. A trip is in the works to the Hope Lodge, a place where cancer patients and their families can temporarily stay for free when their best hope for treatment is in another city.
Katie, Dani, and Kevin may be leaving BC’s Relay for Life behind them come graduation in the Spring, but they have future hopes and goals for the program.
“We hope that Relay for Life at BC becomes the ‘it’ thing to do,” explains Dani. “1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This is a disease that affects everyone and it would just be amazing if we could all come together to fight back against it so that our children can live in a cancer free world.”