Relay for Life coming to Trine

University and county teaming up for cancer event

 

March 18, 2010--Battling cancer requires a group effort, as sufferers rely upon the latest resources for their very lives. Trine University and Steuben County will join the American Cancer Society’s fight against the disease, when they co-host the Relay for Life fundraiser in Trine’s Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Athletic and Recreation Center from 9 a.m. Saturday, April 17 to 9 a.m. Sunday, April 18.

Teams of walkers will take pledges for participating in the 24-hour event to raise funds for cancer patient advocacy and research. The Trine and local communities are invited to participate.

Activities will take place throughout the walk, after the Girl Scouts of America conduct opening ceremonies on Saturday. Visitors can take advantage of information provided in a health and wellness fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., while a silent auction for donated items will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Organizers especially invite those who have successfully battled cancer to attend a Survivorship Celebration at 5:30 p.m., in which cancer survivors and care givers will be recognized and then treated to a dinner.

 

The event’s signature Luminaria Ceremony, the burning of small lights in memory of those who have lost their struggle with cancer and in honor of survivors, will take place at 8 p.m. A wing eating contest at midnight will culminate Saturday activities.

At 8 a.m. Sunday, all teams will compete in a relay race before the event wraps up with closing ceremonies at 9 a.m. Contact event coordinator Penny Daler at 260.905.6887 or penny-daler@vestil.com to purchase luminaries for the memorial ceremony or to receive information on forming or registering a Relay for Life team. Luminaries can also be purchased for $10 outside Whitney Commons in Trine’s University Center every Friday through the day of the event.

 

“Last year’s event involved many more students than the year before,” said Trine student events coordinator Whitney Doyle. “With the new athletic and recreation center as the event site, we expect a much larger combined crowd from Trine and the community.”