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.”