This week, Her Campus sat down with Brandon Petras, a junior at the University of Michigan studying Economics. As the Event Execution Chair of MRelay, Michigan’s Relay for Life organization, Brandon has been busy planning events this semester to raise money for the American Cancer Society. With November in full swing, he and the MRelay team are midway through one of their biggest events of the year, Grow Blue. Come April 8th, MRelay’s 24-hour main event, the organization will have not only raised money for the American Cancer Society, but will have also raised cancer awareness around Michigan’s community.
Her Campus: What is MRelay and who do you relay for?
Brandon Petras: MRelay is the Relay for Life Event at the University of Michigan that works all year to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS). We are the second largest collegiate relay in the world and raised nearly $400,000 last year for the organization. I relay for my mom who passed away after a three-year battle with stage four colon cancer, along with everyone else who has been touched by this awful disease.
HC: When did you first get involved in MRelay and what is your role within the organization?
BP: I joined the MRelay planning committee during my sophomore year at Michigan as the Director of Finance. This year I was elected to a leadership position where I serve as one of eight members on the Senior Leadership Team. My Co-Chair Nancy Tran and I organize the event execution portion of MRelay.
HC: How can interested students get involved?
BP: Last year we had nearly 2,000 participants active in MRelay and we are always looking for more. Those passionate in raising money for cancer awareness are always encouraged to make teams for Relay for Life, and encourage their friends to do the same.
HC: What has been your favorite part about joining MRelay?
BP: The community of people I get to be around. Every meeting starts with a “Why I Relay” story and knowing that I am not alone in my experience with cancer is comforting. Many of the stories I hear have positive endings, which means the work we’re doing with MRelay is making a positive impact on the lives of cancer patients.
HC: What can you tell us about the Grow Blue event that MRelay launched earlier this month?
BP: Grow Blue is our version of No Shave November, which was started three years ago by last year’s MRelay Executive Director, Sam Jacobs. When it began in 2013, Sam and his friends raised $30,000 for MRelay by letting their beards grow out for the month of November. Over the last few years it has grown significantly in participants. Last year, the organization raised over $120,000 just in the month of November. Grow Blue was originally started to promote men’s health. With women’s health awareness growing so high in the last 20 years, it was time that men’s health followed in their numbers. One in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in the course of their lifetime, so it is the goal of Grown Blue to increase the importance of men’s health.
HC: Why do you Grow Blue?
BP: Beyond the promotion of men’s health, I Grow Blue for my mom. In her battle with cancer she endured countless chemotherapy treatments, which caused her to lose her hair. She had no control over her hair loss, so I’m giving up control of my facial hair for the month of November. The beard I grow is one of the most visual ways to show my support for cancer patients.
HC: Are there other events like Grow Blue that MRelay plans to host this year?
BP: Grow Blue is the only month long event, but we have a few other special events that happen throughout the year, leading up to our 24-hour main event on Saturday, April 8th. The next special event we have coming up is the MRelay Benefit Concert. Music groups across campus come together to showcase their talents, and raise life saving dollars for the American Cancer Society.
HC: Anything else you’d like to add?
BP: Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. In MRelay, we like to say that we are all one-degree from cancer. We all must work together to find an end to this awful disease.
Photos courtesy of Brandon Petras