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Relay for Life: Because Cancer Doesn’t Sleep

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Northeastern chapter.
Saturday night, I headed over to Matthews Arena with a bundle of magazines, an assortment of food, sweatshirts, pillows and blankets for the annual Relay for Life. I participated in Relay for Life with Northeastern’s Public Relations Student Society of America. We arrived early to Matthews to stake out prime real estate. After hanging out for a bit, we designed our group’s poster, had balloon hats made by clowns and then anxiously awaited the opening ceremony. At the opening ceremony, we heard from a cancer survivor, who inspired us all, and a physical therapist who has been working with cancer patients for years. The first lap of the night was dedicated to the cancer survivors present. It was very exciting to see the beaming faces of the survivors and gave us all hope.

After the opening ceremony, one member of each team needed to be walking on the track at all times. There were a variety of games, a zumba class and performances from the acapella group and a variety of dance organizations on campus.

At midnight, we had the luminaria ceremony. All the lights in the arena were turned off and the luminaria bags lined the track with glow sticks in each. Everyone gathered in the center of the track to hear from a cancer patient’s son. He lost his mom three years ago and is relaying for the rest of his life in hopes that others won’t have to lose their mothers.  Listening to his story broke my heart, but also inspired me even more to fight against cancer. We then watched a slideshow of tributes to cancer survivors and those that lost their life to cancer. After the slideshow, there was a lap of silence to remember all of those who have experienced cancer.

The rest of the night was a mix of walking around the track, playing games and hanging out. All in all, it was a wonderful night and it felt so good to be making a difference. Just remember, we all can make a difference. Every little bit helps.

Check out some of my photos from the night:

A “Fight Back” banner hung on the wall of the rink

The scoreboard read “Huskies 1, Cancer 0” and luminaria bags read “Hope”

Shannon Clark, a Her Campus writer & PRSSA member, in her Relay for Life tee & balloon hat

PRSSA members and Her Campus writers Sarah Moomaw, Jennifer Gorden and Shannon Clark posed with a clown.


 
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Rachel Kossman

Northeastern

Rachel Kossman is a Northeastern University graduate, and former Her Campus Campus Correspondent. She spent her junior and senior years writing for Her Campus National, and is thrilled to be back contributing to the Post Graduate section.Rachel is currently working as Associate Editor for DAYSPA magazine, an industry publication for spa owners, where she gets to write about spa products, business tips, spa industry news, focus on green lifestyle content, and even review a spa or two every once in a while! She is currently living back in Los Angeles, where she was born and raised, and though she misses Boston and all her friends out east, is very happy to be away from the cold and snow!