In its inaugural year at Pepperdine Relay for Life will make its way to Alumni Park on Friday as more than 400 students faculty and staff prepare to walk for 24 hours in support of cancer research and awareness.
The event begins at 4 p.m. and members of the 36 teams will trade off until 4 p.m. Saturday. At least one member of the team must be walking at all times during the relay.
“Events like Relay for Life are great because they raise awareness and bring the campus together said junior and Korean Student Association President Jimin Park whose club is participating in the event. It’s not that big of a sacrifice because it’s a healthy activity for a good cause … It’s a win win situation.”
Pepperdine participants exceeded their goal of $23000 and raised $320 as of Wednesday evening according to sophomore and Chair of Sponsorship Robby Unger. Event Chair Rachel Fine began meeting with members of the Pepperdine administration in April of 2008 and began planning for the relay with her team in October.
The 36 teams are composed mainly of students and are led by Greek organizations Campus Ministries Campus Recreation physics club residence halls other campus groups as well as individuals. Psychology Professor Steven Rouse a cancer survivor is leading a team of faculty and staff.
“This is a great opportunity for students faculty and staff to all stop and remember those who have had their lives changed by this disease to celebrate the victories that have been won against the disease and to realize how far we still have to go Rouse said.
Friday night, each team will perform an informative skit about preventative methods, as well as a specific type of cancer.
The event commences with a ceremony celebrating the lives of survivors. Relay coordinators expect 20 to 30 survivors from Pepperdine and the Los Angeles area to participate.
We consider someone a survivor even if they were just diagnosed yesterday because they have survived at least one day Fine said. A lot of students have lost people to cancer and this gives them a way to fight back.”
After the ceremony survivors will officially open the relay by walking the first lap. During the day participants can decorate small white lanterns which will be used in a ceremony at 9 p.m. to honor survivors and remember those lost to cancer.
“It’s about remembering Fine said. It’s sad but hopeful.”
Throughout the night there will also be entertainment music and games.
Raising awareness is key to the event. Seventy-five percent of cancer types are preventable according to Chair of Team Development Ollie Oliver a sophomore.
The event ends Saturday with a ceremony where participants may pledge to take preventative measures against cancer such as eating more fruits and vegetables and committing to regular cancer screening.
The Relay for Life is one of the American Cancer Society’s largest worldwide events. The relay incorporates 3.5 million people according to the Relay for Life Web site.
Relay officials encourage people who are not registered with a team to join on Friday. Outside guests can participate until 10 p.m. Friday and after 10 a.m. Saturday. The Pepperdine team will accept monetary donations through Saturday.