Name: Kasey Braden
Hometown: Clearwater, FL
Age: 19
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Child Development
Her Campus (HC): What do you want to do after you graduate?
Kasey Braden (KB): After graduation, I would love to join the Peace Corps. Service is such a big part of my life and I have always felt that I have a duty to give back to a world that I have gotten so much out of. To be able to live that out daily and make long-lasting, sustainable change in lives around the globe would be amazing!
HC: What are some things you like to do for fun?
KB: I am addicted to Netflix (like most college students) and spend more time than I would like to admit binge-watching Scandal. I also enjoy spending time up late studying with good friends. I know it sounds crazy, but there [is] nothing like the hours between 12am and 6am and the hilarious memories that come out of those little moments. In my spare time I also like trying new things, people-watching and eating Chipotle like it’s a main food group.
HC: Can you tell us about Relay for Life and why it’s so important?
KB: Relay for Life is so important because we all know someone in our lives who has been affected by cancer, or we all know someone else who does. Relay for Life serves as a way for us to celebrate those [who] we know are survivors, remember and honor our loved ones who have lost the fight against cancer, and to help fight back for those who are currently fighting. This event serves as a beacon of hope for all who feel defeated by this horrible disease. All of the money raised goes to the American Cancer Society and funds research to save lives, provides resources and services to those currently fighting, and empowering communities to join the movement!
HC: What specifically happens at the Relay for Life event here on campus?
KB: We actually have some exciting news about Relay for Life at FSU. This year, our Relay is going to be nationally featured! This means that representatives from the American Cancer Society will be at our event taking pictures, and our Relay will be viewed as a model Relay for Life event for different campuses all over America! Gaining recognition such as this is an incredible honor because we can really showcase all of amazing things that we accomplish during our event. Relay for Life at FSU is a 15-hour, over-night event in which over 150 teams all come together to walk the track, fundraise, and participate in many different activities. We have several students and faculty as guest speakers, who are able to share their experiences with cancer and how it has affected them. We have an emotional Luminaria ceremony in which cancer survivors, current fighters, and those who have passed away are honored and recognized. It really brings the FSU community together as a whole and is a life-changing experience.
HC: What does being involved with Relay for Life mean to you? What exactly is your role in the event?
KB: Being involved in Relay for Life at FSU is my entire world. I currently serve as the Fundraising Chair and, alongside the rest of the amazing executive board members, have been working all year to make this event successful. My job is to assist teams in their efforts with fundraising, as well as encourage participants to fundraise for the event as much as they can! I am beyond excited to see it all come together in just a few short weeks and hope everyone else is as well! To me, Relay for Life isn’t just the fun and excitement that the 15 hours are full of, but much, much more than that. Though the actual event is one of the best nights ever, it doesn’t stop there. Relay for Life is just one night on a journey of [winning] the fight against cancer. I want nothing more than to make cancer a thing of the past, and Relay for Life has the power to do that.
HC: Can anyone here at FSU participate in the event?
KB: YES! Relay for Life is on April 10-11th at the Old IM Fields and everyone is welcome! Registration for the event can be done on http://www.relayforlife.org/fsufl and you can either create a new team or join a team that has already been registered. The event is free and open to the public the night of so even if you aren’t on a team, you are more than welcome to come out to Relay for Life and have an amazing time! You definitely will not regret it!
HC: What’s your favorite motivational quote?
KB: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller