2008 Woodie Awards
Relay for Life sprints to St. Louis
Kelley Dunn
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News
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Get on your marks-Relay for Life is about to take off! The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is coming to St. Louis on April 21 and 22 at the Robert R. Hermann Stadium at Saint Louis University. Relay is an overnight event that involves teams of eight to 15 people. Their goal is to have one group member on the track at all times.
"I participated in Relay when I was in high school," said sophomore Registration Chair Jamie Zinck. "I now realize how cancer affects not only individuals, but entire families and communities. Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Until we eliminate this disease, we will continue to lose the ones we love."
Relay starts with cancer survivors taking the first lap-an emotional time for both those walking and watching. "It's really heartwarming to see," said freshman Shannon Terry. "It just makes the Relay that much more poignant."
Relay for Life started in May of 1985, when Gordy Klatt, M.D., of Tacoma, Washington, spent 24 hours circling the track of Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Throughout his trek, friends and family paid $25 to run or walk alongside him for 30 minutes. Eighty-three miles later, the colorectal surgeon had raised $27,000 to fight cancer and started a tradition that has grown larger with each year.
Today, there are more than 4,800 relays in the United States, and approximately 3.5 million Americans participate in the event. Teams raise money individually by projects such as bake sales, car washes and donations from family and friends. Senior Co-Chair Patrick Sauter said that "[the SLU chapter of Relay for Life] expect[s] around 1,500 participants and more fundraising than [they] have ever had in the past. Almost every student group on campus has as least one team formed, and it will be a great time for people to come together at the end of the semester and support a wonderful cause."
"I participated in Relay when I was in high school," said sophomore Registration Chair Jamie Zinck. "I now realize how cancer affects not only individuals, but entire families and communities. Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Until we eliminate this disease, we will continue to lose the ones we love."
Relay starts with cancer survivors taking the first lap-an emotional time for both those walking and watching. "It's really heartwarming to see," said freshman Shannon Terry. "It just makes the Relay that much more poignant."
Relay for Life started in May of 1985, when Gordy Klatt, M.D., of Tacoma, Washington, spent 24 hours circling the track of Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Throughout his trek, friends and family paid $25 to run or walk alongside him for 30 minutes. Eighty-three miles later, the colorectal surgeon had raised $27,000 to fight cancer and started a tradition that has grown larger with each year.
Today, there are more than 4,800 relays in the United States, and approximately 3.5 million Americans participate in the event. Teams raise money individually by projects such as bake sales, car washes and donations from family and friends. Senior Co-Chair Patrick Sauter said that "[the SLU chapter of Relay for Life] expect[s] around 1,500 participants and more fundraising than [they] have ever had in the past. Almost every student group on campus has as least one team formed, and it will be a great time for people to come together at the end of the semester and support a wonderful cause."
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