Washington University in St. Louis will host Relay For Life, a signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, from 6 p.m. Saturday, April 14, to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 15, on Francis Field. The 12-hour, overnight walk-a-thon is symbolic: Cancer doesn’t sleep — and neither will volunteers working to combat the disease.
This year’s event will honor the memory of James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, who died Sept. 6, 2011, after a two-year battle with cancer.
Family members will reread a speech given by McLeod at last year’s Relay For Life during a 10 p.m. luminaria ceremony. The ceremony is a special opportunity for people to remember loved ones lost to cancer and celebrate those who have won their battle.
Luminary candles — each bearing the name of an individual who has battled cancer — will illuminate Bushyhead Track as volunteers make a silent lap. Luminaries are available online at relay.wustl.edu for a $5 donation.
Throughout the evening, teams of people will camp out around the track; members of each team will take turns walking laps. Food, games and activities provide ongoing entertainment and fundraising opportunities. The WUSTL event is entirely organized by the student-led Relay For Life Steering Committee.
To date, 1,418 participants have registered on 168 teams, and that number is expected to increase as the event draws near. Registration never is closed; people can still sign up to walk or make a donation either to an individual, a team, or the event in general, at relay.wustl.edu. The fundraising goal is $275,000; so far, more than $178,000 has been raised.
“Relay For Life has become a tradition on the Wash. U. campus,” says co-chair Jill Greenfield, a senior in the School of Engineering & Applied Science. “It is an event where everyone on campus can come together for a common cause, a common fight against cancer.”
“We encourage everyone to join us on Saturday and donate to the event,” adds co-chair Emilie Weisser, a senior in Arts & Sciences. “So many people in the community have helped to make this event possible, and we cannot wait to celebrate another successful year of relay at Wash. U.”
There are several faculty and staff teams participating in honor of McLeod, including one headed by Risa Zwerling Wrighton, wife of Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and four-year adviser in the College of Arts & Sciences. The Wrightons are matching the first $25 raised or donated by every team member.
Those who would like to attend the event as a visitor are asked to make a $15 donation to gain entry. The opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with a Survivors Lap — an opportunity for survivors to celebrate what they’ve overcome.
Student a cappella groups, bands and dancers will perform during the evening. Family-friendly events include a photo booth, three-legged and wheelbarrow races, a scavenger hunt, a giant inflatable and much more.
For more information, visit wustl.relay.edu.