The wind gusts were strong, no tents were allowed, but the spirit was not dampened at Campbell University’s fourth annual Relay For Life held on April 3. The students raised over $23,000 that will go towards the Harnett County Relay For Life, which will be held on May 1-2, 2009 at Triton High School.
“It’s exciting to see the students take leadership roles and produce their own mini-relay,” said Nancy Wright, Chairman, Relay For Life of Harnett County.
Relay For Life is the signature overnight fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Campbell’s Relay is a smaller version of the event. The theme was Academy Stars of Relay and was held from 3:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the academic circle of Campbell University.
Cancer survivor and student Amber McNeil told her story to the crowd. She lost her leg at age 15 to cancer.
“I was scared to death, but the Lord has blessed me,” she said. “Everyone one of us has been affected by cancer-whether it’s been through your family or friends.”
McNeil said she relays because during her chemotherapy she met a lot of people. One girl she met did not survive, while another girl with stomach cancer is still fighting.
“There are good and bad stories about cancer,” she said. “Together we can fight and make a cure a reality.”
Some students walked around the circle and others were selling various food items and hosting games from their Hollywood themed booths, which ranged from “Patch Adams” to “Grease” and “Jaws” to “Castaway.” The International Student Club’s theme was Slumdog Millionaire. The members were hosting a game similar to Who Wants to be a Millionaire and the grand prize was an autographed picture of David Cook. They were also drawing temporary henna tattoos.
Relay will continue to be an event at Campbell.
“This is our fourth year of doing Relay For Life here at Campbell and each year it gets bigger and better,” said Sara Eddleton, Graduate Assistant for Campus Activities. “We had over 600 students and staff signed up to participate and we are so excited to celebrate, remember and fight back.”
Photo Copy:Saima Chaudhry gives Katie Waters a henna tattoo during Campbell University’s Relay For Life. Photo by Shannon Ryals.
Photo Copy 2- Campbell University’s fourth annual Relay For Life was held on April 3. The students raised over $23,000 that will go towards the Harnett County Relay For Life, which will be held on May 1-2, 2009 at Triton High School. Photo by Shannon Ryals.