April 20, 2012
Shattering previous records in St. John’s University’s efforts to help fight cancer, the seventh annual, student-run Relay for Life at the Queens campus raised $78,600 in contributions for the American Cancer Society (ACS).
The tally exceeded this year’s goal of $70,000, and the final figure is expected to reach $80,000 when all contributions are counted. Proceeds go to ACS to support research, improve treatment, provide health services to low-income patients and raise awareness.
Held in Carnesecca Arena, the event began at 6 p.m., Friday, April 13, and ended at 6 a.m. the next day. Members of 118 student teams marched in laps around the gymnasium, danced and participated in other activities.
The Staten Island campus raised more than $18,500 at its first Relay for Life. The event, held in the Campus Center Gym on Friday, April 20, "blew away" the $10,000 goal, said Theresa Osorio, Associate Director of Student Life.
Relay for Life is an international effort in which communities raise funds for cancer research, celebrate the courage of survivors and honor those who have died. Since ACS began the team relay program in 1986, the relays have expanded to 21 other countries.
The Queens campus relay drew 1,462 students — and support from administrators, faculty, staff, family and friends. The event reflected a growing awareness that cancer touches everyone, said Mary Pelkowski, Associate Dean of Student Engagement. It also testified to the commitment of the St. John’s community. “Without the teams that worked on the relay this year,” she said, “we never could have achieved what we did.”
“Some of the students spent up to eight months planning every aspect of this campaign,” added Maggie Bach, Assistant Director of Leadership Development and Service.
“I am constantly impressed by the professionalism of St. John’s students,” said Jillian Ladouceur, Director of Special Events, ACS. “They are tireless and extremely creative. In fact, this is the only university to introduce a program enabling students to make online relay contributions.”
Event highlights included a survivors’ dinner attended by 32 students and the “Luminaria” Ceremony, in which Relay Committee members placed 745 glow-stick bags in a specially marked area of the gym. Emblazoned with the word “hope” and glowing throughout the ceremony, each bag was dedicated to someone who had died from cancer.
The ceremony began with an official welcome delivered by Kathryn Hutchinson, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs, who announced that the Relay Committee had received $8,000 in contributions in just the first 10 minutes of the event.
John Marchi ’13TCB and Arielle Castillo ’12Ed served as co-masters of ceremonies. Marchi spoke about the satisfaction he has gained from participating in the relay since his freshman year. “As logistics committee chairman,” he said, “I’m excited to see people enjoy themselves here tonight, just as I am to play a role in the University’s most inclusive fundraising event.”
“I’m very passionate about this,” said Castillo. “As a young person with a stake in the future, I believe it’s my obligation to alert people to the need to take preventive measures to avoid the chances of getting this disease.” She noted that, as publicity committee chair, she is proud to have helped find new ways of raising participation — including using a student dressed in purple, the ACS color, to do advance publicity.
Caroline Fuchs, Associate Professor/Outreach Librarian, University Library, also addressed the participants. A breast cancer survivor, Professor Fuchs is the first faculty member to speak at a relay ceremony. When she learned of her diagnosis in 2008, she said, she was “angry, upset, sad.” She attributed her recovery largely to the emotional support she received from others.
“I realized I owed my newly reclaimed health to the concern of people like my son and friends who kept cheering me on,” she said. “I want to urge all survivors to take advantage of the support they can get from being part of Relay to Life.”
Attendees danced to the all-night DJ music and watched horror movies in the Little Theatre, in keeping with the “Scare Cancer Away” theme. They also joined regular gym laps throughout the night, symbolizing that cancer never sleeps.
At 4 a.m., student members of Campus Ministry led the approximately 300 remaining students in morning prayer. Said Dean Pelkowski, “Relay for Life is my favorite event — it’s brought together students from every part of the University, exemplifying what it means to be a Vincentian institution.”