April 04, 2009
Queens, NY -
The fourth annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life took place last night and into the wee hours of this morning at St. John’s University's Taffner Field House in Queens. Thousands of participants from the University and outlying community were on hand to honor cancer survivors and their caregivers, pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to cancer and raise money for the cause.
Event Photo Gallery
The event supports cancer research, education, advocacy and patient and family services in the community. Since 1985, Relay for Life has spread to more than 4,700 communities in the United States and nine countries worldwide. This year over 1,400 participants, comprised of St. John’s students, faculty, staff, administrators and friends, made up the 150 teams walking for the cause.
Friday’s event raised approximately $60,000 dollars, with donations still being accepted. St. John’s University has raised more than $150,000 in the past three years in partnering with the American Cancer Society and the event has grown in leaps and bounds. St. John’s students rallied together and for the first time ever formed more than 100 teams to raise money for the cause.
Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President of St. John’s University kicked off the evening welcoming those in attendance and thanking them for all that they do to support the fight against cancer.
Following the welcome, an opening ceremony and survivor lap took place in a moving gesture of remembrance, as hundreds of luminaria candles were lit in tribute to those loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer and continue to battle this dreaded disease.
Other highlights included a walk-a-thon around the court in Taffner Field House as teams participated in a variety of games and activities throughout the night.
For more information regarding the American Cancer Society Relay for Life visit www.relayforlife.org/stjohnsuniversity or contact St. John’s Student Wellness Office at (718) 990-6878.
All interested media representatives can contact Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media Relations by calling (718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.