Normally, I would not consider myself much of a gambler, but here’s one thing I would bet: You know someone who has been touched by cancer. It’s estimated that in 2008 there were over 1.4 million new cases of cancer in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 1,500 people die each day of cancer, making it the second most common cause of death in the U.S., second only to heart disease. With numbers like these it is no gamble to say that you know at least one person affected by cancer.
There is hope though. The American Cancer Society makes it one of their goals to find a cure for cancer. While they have been making strides, this is a difficult, expensive process. It costs $3,000 to treat one patient in a clinical trial.
Twenty-five years ago Dr. Gordy Klatt started the first Relay For Life event to raise money for the ACS. People spend the night walking a track, raising money, and bringing hope to all those affected by cancer. Relay’s slogan is simple: “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.” We hope that you will join in this national fight against cancer in the fourth annual Relay For Life of RPI and bring hope to those battling cancer.
Last year we had 85 teams join in the fight. We’ve grossed more than $335,000 since Relay For Life began at RPI. This earned Relay For Life of RPI the award for most money raised per person in the Capital District. We beat Union! This year we have already raised over $9,600 thanks to our 48 teams. Our goal is set much higher, though. We are looking for 120 teams to join us on the ’86 Field on April 17 and raise $115,000. We can reach our goal, but only with your help. We’re going to need everyone’s help. If every student, faculty, and staff member donated so much as $10 to Relay For Life we could raise nearly $100,000. You can join a team, make donations, or buy luminaria to honor a survivor or remember a lost loved one. Your efforts go a long way.
Last year, over 1,300 people joined in on the fun. What better way to spend a Friday night than with your friends on the ’86 Field helping to battle cancer with our theme “Lights, Camera, Relay”? There’s no reason for you to be left out of the spotlight. All of our lives we are told that we can make a difference. This is your chance. Help us fight cancer.
On April 17, we will be gathering to continue our fight. You can go to http://www.RelayForLife.org/RPI/ to find more information about the event, joining or starting a team, and fundraising. If not for yourself, join for someone in your life who has had to fight this disease. The Relay For Life Committee hopes that you will join us as we celebrate life, remember those lost, and fight for hope.
Editor’s note: The staff of The Poly has granted the Relay for Life Committee a temporary column to raise awareness and increase participation.
