Relay for Life

Last Friday April 29th was a very special evening for the majority of the campus community. From 7 pm to 2 am Relay for Life took place in the Union College Field House. I think about 450 people showed up throughout the course of the evening to take part in the relay. 51 teams signed up to walk around the track continuously from 7 to 2 am. These teams each raised money towards cancer research (it cost $10 per person when signing onto a team) and many frats and sororities took place in the event as well. Over $25,000 dollars were raised over the course of the evening, but that is not what made this event so spectacular. It was the coming together of a community to fight cancer and to listen to others speak about their battles with cancer, or the battles of their loved ones. As I looked around the crowd I noticed several people so overcome with emotion that they were in tears, hugging the person closest to them. Granted this was largely a female population, it was still very touching to see. As one speaker after the other left the stage they were met with abundant applause and a warm hug from a student waiting off to the side. The event included a Survivor's Lap where three survivors from the crowd took to the track in a symbolic show of determination and strength.
Although it was stated that you should walk around the track continuously my team, or the Gold Team, took time to enjoy the barbecue and delicious nitrogen ice cream dessert. We sat together, bonded, and munched on hot dogs, hamburgers, or, in my vegetarian case, cheese pizza. Different activity tables were also set up around the track. One of my friends decided to create a luminary bag as her close friend had passed away a year ago from cancer. She lit a candle and placed her bag on the track along with dozens of others. My friend Kelsey and I also sat down at a table to make cards for cancer patients in the hospital fighting for their survival. It was nice to imagine how that one little card might brighten a little bit of their day.
The event also featured a few acts. Union's very own Garnet Minstrel's performed to cheers from the crowd, the break dance team performed to hip hop, and their was also beautiful Indian dancing. I wasn't expecting to be treated to a show upon attending Relay for Life, but it made the time pass much more quickly and entertained everyone. Unfortunately the evening was cut short as Union rented a bouncy castle. I have always been a lover of trampolines and basically anything that allows me to bounce around like a spaz, so when given the opportunity I leap for it. Bouncing around with my friends was so much fun, but sadly one of my friends landed wrong and sprained her ankle (and if she were asked how she sprained her ankle she would deny this story whole heartedly!).Wanting to get her back to our dorm without falling and breaking herself even more, my friend group decided to call it quits for the night and went back to Davidson to watch a movie.
All in all the Relay for Life was a success. It brought the community a bit closer together, raised money for an incredible cause, and told the stories of those who once had to fight for life, thereby allowing the audience to appreciate the life they have that much more.