Relay for Life: Machias
This past weekend, I stopped by Relay for Life in the Fitness Center. If you’re unfamiliar with what Relay for Life is, I’ll give you a quick synopsis: Relay for Life is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, so that those whose lives have been affected by cancer (either by knowing relatives or friends that have had it, or having cancer themselves) can raise money for cancer research. It’s an overnight event; the Machias Relay had both students and community members present from six o’clock Friday night until nine o’clock on Saturday morning. Throughout those fifteen hours, people were constantly walking around the edge of the gym.
Above: A panoramic view of Relay for Life in the Fitness Center, viewed from the KAK'n'Friends corner.
Below: A panoramic view of Relay for Life in the Fitness Center, viewed from the front doors of the gym.
UMM’s own KAK and Psi Delta had an area set up for their brothers, sisters, and alumni to rest between walks. KAK was walking to support Andrew Damon, who was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. (KAK’n’Friends were all wearing special t-shirts as they walked in support of Andrew.)
I initially stopped by to take a few pictures of the event, as well as some of my friends that were walking in the Relay. When I arrived a few hours into the event, I found that there was a sort of vigil going on, where the lights were turned low and a projector displayed the names of all those that people at come to the Relay to support. Illuminated paper bags outlined the gym, each holding the name of someone who had once been diagnosed with cancer.
When the walking continued, the energy in the room was kept high by various events. Every hour had a theme, so that those walking could dress up and walk along to the beats of various kinds of music. One hour was a country hour. Another was a holiday-themed hour. My favorite hour was the glow-in-the-dark hour.
As everyone walked around the track, they could see various booths that different groups had set up. There was support for every type of cancer imaginable.
I feel asleep around three in the morning. The KAK/Psi Delta area had several tents and chairs set up, and I promptly curled up on a futon and fell asleep for a few hours. When I woke up, the organizers of the Relay were announcing how much money had been raised by this year’s event. This year, the Machias Relay for Life raised $35,000.
The best part about this event is that it draws so many different people together in support of one thing: cancer research. I look forward to see how much money will be raised at next year’s Relay for Life.
- Jordan Gilletti '12
