As members of the University of Mississippi family prepare to remember loved ones lost to cancer, student organizers for Relay for Life are working to increase visibility of the event and meet their fundraising goal of $55,000.
Currently, the Ole Miss-Oxford community has 33 teams scheduled to participate in Friday’s event. Adam Blackwell, public policy leadership major and committee co-chair, said the committee is trying to generate interest.
“So far, we’ve raised a little over $10,000,” Blackwell said. “We’re also putting a lot of emphasis on increasing our participation, visibility and awareness on campus this year.
“Groups of students come together to form teams, and all of the fundraising is done through the teams. They can either fundraise online through our website or set up different fundraisers around the campus and community. Lots of teams host percentage nights at different restaurants. We are also in front of the Union this week selling luminarias.”
The luminaria bags and candles are lit during the Luminaria Ceremony in memory of loved ones who have died or in honor of those who currently have cancer.
Blackwell said the event has special importance to him.
“My grandmother is a breast cancer survivor, along with many other family members,” Blackwell said. “My aunt also passed away after a long battle with breast cancer while I was in high school.”
The fundraiser kicks off with the opening ceremony followed by the Survivor Lap where cancer survivors are encouraged to walk and celebrate their victory over cancer.
Relay for Life will be held in the Circle this Friday beginning at 6 p.m.
Committee member and marketing major Megan Cummings said Relay for Life will allow for open registration this year.
“(For those) that are not part of an organization but still want to participate in this year’s Relay, we have a new team called Everyone’s Team that anyone can sign up for,” Cummings said.
Yesenia Garcia, senior psychology and Spanish double major, is in charge of this year’s entertainment.
“There will be a DJ all night and Zumba sessions at 7:00 and midnight,” she said.
— Jessi Ballard
jaballar@go.olemiss.edu
