We are all affected by cancer and we all have opportunities to fight against the awful disease that steals 7.6 million people each year. One such opportunity at Notre Dame is the annual Relay for Life. Back for it’s 11th year at ND, the Relay for Life is scheduled for this Friday, April 17th, from 6pm until midnight at Compton Family Ice Arena. The incredible event is designed to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. All are welcome to attend and participate as the campus and community come together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have been lost, and fight back as a Fighting Irish family. Notre Dame has received thirteen American Cancer Society Research Grants and the ND Relay for Life won two national awards last year!
For those who do not know, Relay for Life is a national relay sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Univerities, hospitals, churches, and high schools are invited to host the event at different points throughout the year, with teams made up of community members walking the relay. Relay can last up to 24 hours because “cancer never sleeps” with teams walking laps the entire time. The fundraising comes from sponsors pledging money per lap per team. Teams find their own sponsors, but the overall event may have fundraising partners as well. For example, Notre Dame’s Relay is being sponsored by The Medical Foundation, JJ White, 1st Source Bank, TireRack.com, and many others!
The schedule of events for this year’s Relay is packed with everything from silent auction bidding to inflatables to skating! The whole evening is kick started by the first lap, led by the Notre Dame Marching Band, survivors of cancer, and caregivers, a tradition that can be found at all Relays. Prayer and reflection will be offered throughout the night, thanks to Campus Ministry. The main fundraising endeavor – a silent auction – runs from 6 until 11pm. Games for the whole family begin at 6pm and can be found throughout Compton. Student fun includes ice skating, award winning ice sculptor Danny Bloss, a Zumbathon, karaoke, and the RecSprots Broomball Tournament.
Her Campus Notre Dame is particularly pumped for Relay this year because we will be hosting karaoke from 9:30 to 11:30pm! We will have a raffle for two collegiette approved books – Dirty Rush by Taylor Bell and The Intern’s Handbook by Shane Kuhn. Join us in O’Brien’s for this awesome activity! We’re thrilled about this partnership, and we hope you are too! See you on Friday!
To learn more about the ND Relay for Life, follow them on twitter (@NotreDameRelay), like them on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NotreDameRFL) or visit their website at RELAY.ND.EDU.