The 2016 Temple University Relay For Life included participants who fundraised over $40,000 in memory or honor of someone in life who has battled cancer. Nearly 600 students and cancer survivors, including Hooter, came out to Temple’s over night Relay for Life event that raises money for cancer research.
The event includes a “Survivors Lap”, where all cancer survivors at the event take the first lap around the track while all other participants cheering on their victory. In addition, a Luminaria Ceremony takes place after dark to remember people who lost the battle to cancer, honor all those who fought it in the past, and support those who continue to fight for life. Participants light candles inside of personalized bags and place them around the track as glowing tributes to those who’ve been affected by cancer.
The American Cancer Society sponsor’s the annual event to work towards progress to a cancer free world. Contributions made to the Relay for Life benefit research, Hope Lodge, Road to Recovery, Look Good…Feel Better, and Reach to Recovery.
The Relay started in the spring of 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington. He ended up raising over $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society. Since then the Relay For Life movement has grown into a huge annual event, and has raised almost $5 billion to fight cancer through research and support.
One woman recounts how “This is such a wonderful thing to do for people like me who you know, go on with life and try not to think too much about it, but this is a time to focus cause it was a big deal.”
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