Vanderbilt Relay For Life will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to midnight on Alumni Lawn.
The signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life involves teams taking turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park or fairground. The events are up to 12 hours long, and because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.
Students are organizing the event at Vanderbilt for the eighth consecutive year and expect more than 50 teams to walk continuously around Alumni Law to symbolize the fight against cancer. Students, faculty and staff are being encouraged to show their support. To create or join a team or to donate, go to relay.org/vandy.
“Beyond the amazing work the ACS does, the organization represents hope for thousands of cancer patients nationwide as well as their families and friends,” Matthew Massman, Vanderbilt senior and Relay for Life co-president, said. “That’s why we relay here on Vanderbilt’s campus every fall. We want to show our support and let people know that Vanderbilt cares, and that we will make a difference.”
Those who don’t wish to register for a team but still want to support the cause can make a $10 donation for admission to the event that will provide the opportunity to walk with cancer survivors and participating teams. The event also will feature music and dance performances from local and student artists, a climbing wall, eating competitions and other on-site fundraisers.
There will be food deliveries every hour from Nashville eateries such as Zoe’s Kitchen, Jet’s Pizza, Chuy’s and Krispy Kreme.
Nationally, Relay For Life has raised more than $4 billion since its inception. ACS uses its funds to provide research grants and create programs for prevention, patient support, detection, treatment and the construction and operation of Hope Lodges, facilities in which a cancer patient and a caregiver may stay while traveling to receive treatment. This year, the ACS donated $5.5 million to Vanderbilt Medical Center to fund research to find treatments and cures.
Contact: Jaclyn Ackerman, (516) 459-6862
jaclyn.t.ackerman@vanderbilt.edu