Holy Cross Students to Host Relay for Life

On Friday, April 25, the College of the Holy Cross community will participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a fundraising and awareness event with the intention of fighting cancer. The event will begin at 5 p.m. in Kimball Dining Hall and will continue in the Field House at 6 p.m. until 2 a.m., where more than 400 participants will participate in solidarity with those impacted by the disease.

The relay is separated into three ceremonies: Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back. The first includes a Survivor’s Walk and the second involves the Luminaria ceremony, in which Luminaria bags are lit in memory of those who have lost their lives to cancer.  Finally, the event concludes with the Fight Back ceremony, which is a chance for all participants to pledge their fight for cancer does not end with the event, but will continue in their everyday lives.

The event will feature Robert Bellin, associate professor of biology, who will give a presentation on his cancer research at 7:15 p.m., followed by Shave the Brave, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Field House. During this fundraising event, student leaders from across campus will raise money and seek pledges before shaving their head. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) will also be co-sponsoring Rock the Cure, a pre-Battle of the Bands event featuring bands on campus.

While student teams walk the Field House track, there will also be activities including a photo booth and airbrush art, a cappella performances, ZUMBA, and raffles.  CAB will also be donating pizza and wings, and the Student Government Association (SGA) will be donating food from The Dogfather. There will also be food donations from Qdoba Mexican Grill, Bagel Time, and Coney Island Hotdogs.

Raffle items include a signed photo of John Lester from the Boston Red Sox, a signed Boston Bruins hockey puck, two signed footballs from the New York Giants, and a new entertainment system from Sam’s Club.

Last year, the College’s Relay for Life efforts raised more than $32,000, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

For more information visit the Holy Cross Relay for Life website.