The University of Toledo’s Relay for Life event returns Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Student Recreation Center after a two-year absence.
Hosted by student organization Relay for Life and directly supported by the Office of Student Engagement, the UToledo event serves as a benefit for the American Cancer Society and is scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. with team challenges throughout the day, a lunch for cancer survivors and a luminaria ceremony to recognize all cancer warriors.
Relay for Life has free admission, but participants are encouraged to fundraise and to donate towards the cause.
“I joined Relay for Life because I lost family members to cancer and it’s something that has deeply affected me,” said Roshan Sirole, a junior studying psychology who is the event’s overall director. “Being a part of this event felt like a way to honor their memory and do something positive in response to the pain cancer has caused. I wanted to be part of a community that stands together, supporting each other, raising awareness and contributing to the fight in whatever way we can. It’s a chance to turn something difficult into a shared effort toward hope and healing.”
Lucy Jones, a senior studying exercise science who is the event’s administrative director, said she chose to be part of Relay for Life so that she could give back to the community working to find a cure for cancer.
“After seeing my father’s battle with cancer, I knew that being a Relay for Life volunteer would allow me to contribute to the fight against cancer,” she said.
UToledo’s partnership with Relay for Life began in 2001. Two decades later, the University hosted its final on-campus event, raising more than $39,000 for the American Cancer Society, Jones said.
Plans have been in the works for a while to bring it back, she said.
“Although Relay has not happened in the past couple of years, we have been working really hard to get it back on its feet,” Jones said. “All of the donations that are raised from the event go towards funding cancer research, advocacy and financial support for individuals currently battling cancer. We look forward to seeing the Toledo community coming to our event and showing their support in the fight against cancer.”
“The American Cancer Society is one of the most well-known organizations in the United States,” she added. “ACS relies exclusively on volunteers and donations. The University of Toledo’s Relay for Life has been one of the University’s most-attended events, raising large amounts of donations annually and attracting countless attendees each year. Our Relay for Life chapter is planned, attended and benefits Toledo locals and beyond.
For more information about the on-campus Relay for Life, visit the event’s how-to-sign-up website.
And to register for the event, visit the UToledo event through the American Cancer Society website.
