39 teams and over 500 participants came out to Relay for Life of Ohio University to raise money.
Ohio University students, alumni and Athens residents walked laps, played games and slept on the ground Friday and Saturday to raise money as part of the 2016 Relay for Life of Ohio University.
The event took place in the Walter Fieldhouse, where 39 teams and over 500 people participated. The fundraiser has raised more than $23,000 for the American Cancer Society as of press time, and will continue to raise money until August.
Relay for Life is a national organization that hosts community events to raise money for cancer research and support for cancer patients, according to its website.
Kristen Hencsei, an OU student who is secretary of the event’s planning committee and a cancer survivor, said she thought this year’s event had the most participants compared to past years.
Emma Fish, one of the participants and a senior studying athletic training, participated in the event with the Ohio University Athletic Training Organization and said this was her fourth time attending.
“It’s a tradition,” Fish said. “All of us have been pretty much affected by cancer ... It’s nice to kinda give back what we can for cancer research.”
The event included various laps with themes, such as a three-legged lap, a backwards lap and a glow-in-the-dark lap.
“We’re really excited to be here,” Fish said. “We love the event and it’s gotten so much better just in the four years that I’ve done it. The planning committee does a great job”
Lexi Hipp, a senior studying communication and social sciences, came with the OU Women's Crew team, of which she is the president.
“Several of us have connections to family members and friends that have been affected by cancer, and one of our very own teammates is a survivor of cancer,” Hipp said. “As far as I know, I think (team members) come every year."
Liz Murphy, a sophomore studying pre-med, said she came to the event with about 14 other members of Phi Delta Epsilon, an international medical fraternity.
“Our fraternity is all about philanthropy and we're pre-med so this really worked out (because of) cancer research,” Murphy said.
Ben George, a junior studying chemical engineering, is the captain of the John Staser Fan Club team.
“We’re all chemical engineers and (Staser) is one of our professors,” George said. “He doesn’t have cancer or anything, but we just like him, so we made a team.”
George added that he has participated in Relay For Life in the past and his current team has raised about $900 for the cause.
“My brother is actually a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed in ‘08,” he said. “I’m actually a bone marrow donor too. I was his bone marrow donor.”
James Edelstein, a junior studying game design and animation and captain of a team from the Wray Complex on South Green, was also personally affected by cancer.
“My mom had cancer,” Edelstein said. “She passed away when I was 12, and it’s just something important to me, as a person.”
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="c681fbae-d357-11e5-b9b4-8372a710d808"}}
He added that he hopes a lot of money is raised.
“Congratulations to all the survivors out there who don’t get all the appreciation they do,” Edelstein added. “You know, there are a lot of people out here supporting you and everything you do. And those who do have cancer still or who didn’t make it through cancer, know that there are people here fighting for you who love you dearly.”
@M_PECKable
mp172114@ohio.edu
