Relay For Life uses Disney magic to ‘wish upon a cure’
What happens when you wish upon a cure? Campus organizations and community organizers gathered in Circle Park to find out.
Relay for Life held a fundraising event on April 11, in Circle Park at The University of Tennessee from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Campus organizations, fraternities, sororities and community organizations gathered to help raise money and try to reach their goal of $75,000 for The American Cancer Society. All of the funds raised will be donated to The American Cancer Society.
“My mom had cancer,” said Jasmine James, junior and member of the Sigma Kappa sorority at UT. “It means a lot to me because you get to raise money and honor those who have gone through it.”
The Relay theme for this fundraiser was “When You Wish Upon A Cure..” and each booth represented a Disney movie ranging from The Little Mermaid to The Lion King to Monster’s University.
Gabrielle O’Neal/TNJN
“All of the different chapters and organizations do different things in order to raise money in their own way,” said James. “Our theme is 101 Dalmatians, so were selling dog treats [to raise money].”
“We’ve raised our $1000 for our chapter,” said Kellie Keeton, member of the Sigma Kappa sorority at UT, whose father battled cancer.
In addition to the bake sale, bonce house and other booth activities there were the Survivors Lap and the Caregivers Lap. The Survivors Lap allowed the chance to celebrate the lives of those who battled cancer and the Caregivers Lap was for those cared for someone with cancer so they can be honored for their support.
“I’ve never done it before, this is my first year but so far so good,” said Grace Moore, member of Sigma Kappa sorority at UT. “I come back at nine [p.m.] to walk.”
Not only do the organizations sell various goods through their booths, but they also participate in the walks.
“We always have to have one member of our organization walking so we usually do it in groups of five and we take shifts,” said James.
After the laps was the Luminaria Ceremony. Each Luminaria, a paper bag, decorated with a name, photo, message or drawing, and candle are illuminated after dark in honor loved one who has been affected by cancer.
“Our sorority does [Relay] so every year we try to actively participate in it,” said James. “I just like what it stands for and being able to do it and knowing that I did something for a good cause.
Gabrielle O’Neal/TNJN
The closing ceremony, at 6 a.m. marked the end of Relay and celebrated those who had participated in the fundraising events. Overall, the fundraiser lasted all night, 12 hours because as one fundraiser put it, “Cancer doesn’t sleep and neither do we.”
Edited by Zach Dennis
