The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News

On Sun., April 29, the College will host it's third annual Relay for Life. The American Cancer Society began Relay For Life in Tacoma, Wa. in 1986. Dr. Gordy Klatt, a surgeon, wanted to raise money for the local American Cancer Society office and decided to do so by running marathons. Throughout the year, friends, family and patients of Dr. Klatt paid $25 to join him run around the track. Eventually, he organized a committee to plan the first Relay for Life event. Now, the event takes place all over the country. At the College, Relay for Life is a 12-hour marathon where teams are formed with about 8-15 people

making up each team. Members pay ten dollars to sign up and either walk or run around the track for those 12 hours.

Relay for Life was started at the College in January of 2005. Amy Bornholdt '06 along with Tracy Yusko '08 formed Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) which is dedicated to spreading cancer awareness, instilling advocacy efforts on campus, and also fundraising for the American Cancer Society. The group does a ton of different fundraisers throughout the year including "Carnations for a Cure" which happens right around Valentine's Day. Jessica Cortapasso '07 and Allie Schnall '08, were co-chairs of Relay for Life in the Spring of that year. "We made about $10,000 that first year, and also sparked other colleges in the area to begin doing Relays of their own," said Schnall.

The second annual Relay tripled the previous year's fundraising with a grand total of $33,437.94. As a result, the College was the number one college Relay in the Lehigh Valley. Schnall, who acted as both President of CAC and co-chair for Relay for Life that year, said that year there were "over 400 participants making up 43 teams, which was amazing because not many Muhlenberg events bring out 20 percent of the student body. It just goes to show how much cancer affects us all." Alex Corgan '08, Vice President of CAC also co-chaired the event with Schnall.

Just like last year there will be a number of student bands, acapella groups and dance teams performing. The dunk tank, which featured faculty members such as President Helm and various students will also be back by popular demand. Sarah Albertelli '09 and Mark Wiseman '09 are in charge of entertainment. According to Schnall, some ideas are still floating around in terms of entertainment for the day including "the possibility of some 'casino night' games, wacky laps around the track, team competitions, team banner laps, etc." These details will be figured out within the next few weeks. Schnall wants "Relay to not only be an amazing fundraiser and a meaningful way to celebrate survivors/remember those lost to cancer, but also a fun campus event that people look forward to participating in."

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