Cancer affects so many of us, and Clarion students want to make a difference by spreading awareness and raising money to fight the disease. The 2016 Relay for Life at Clarion University held a press conference Wednesday to publicize their event.
Event chair Cammeron Ogden opened up the press conference with her colleagues Carlee Freeburg, Emily Cooper and Jarrett Boxley at the panel. Their event serves as a platform to publicize the initiative of the American Cancer Society to hold Relay for Life events all across the nation. The Clarion campus event will take place for 24 hours starting on Friday, April 15 at 8 a.m. and ending Saturday morning in the Recreation Center.
The Clarion Relay for Life also hosted a small event in the Gemmell Student Center’s rotunda with games to promote cancer awareness. While team captains Boxley and Freeburg and recruitment chair Cooper answered questions next door, students pledged donations to the relay and signed themselves up as individuals or their recognized student organizations to participate.
Representatives of Clarion’s various student groups were given “the opportunity to fight cancer and save lives,” said Ogden.
Cooper knows why she recruits and spreads awareness for Relay for Life. “I like to be a part of something bigger,” she said.
A theme of the event is remembering passed loved ones but also celebrating cancer survivors. “It’s important to take part in an event that means so much to so many people,” Boxley added.
Relay for Life itself hosts a lot of games and entertainment to keep walkers and volunteers busy. The hip hop dance team at Clarion has performed their routines in the past, and Cooper says learning how to “pop” was one of her favorite memories.
Planning for the popular event begins as early as days after the previous relay.
This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, Relay!” There will be plenty of activities to help support that theme. For instance, each RSO is allowed to choose their favorite movie and dress up as iconic characters for a costume contest at the event.
As the Relay for Life at Clarion University continues to pick up steam, the chairmen in charge of the event’s success urge all students and community members to come out and support the cause.