Carleton students walked, talked, and danced for 12 hours March 2 in tribute to those fighting cancer, survivors of cancer, and those that cancer has taken.
Students from various backgrounds came together to march the Fieldhouse track until 7 a.m. the following morning for the third annual Relay4Life.
This year’s Relay4Life is Carleton’s biggest one yet since the first event in 2010, according to a university press release.
More than 50 groups of eight to 12 people participated in the event, with over 60 volunteers and organizers, said Jill Krajewski of Relay4Life’s head of public relations.
Event co-chair Komal Minhas said it was the committee’s more direct approach to promotion that resulted in the event’s success.
“Our promotions and events this year have been next level. You’ve seen us all around campus,” Minhas said.“You don’t miss us and if you do, it’s because you’re not on campus.”
Carleton attracted 30 survivors this year to come and walk the first lap of the night: the Survivor’s Lap. As they strolled around the track, their stories were told over the sound system.
Daiva Greenidge celebrated her successful fight against breast cancer, which she won in November 2009.
“I’ve had friends who have been involved in the survivor victory lap, so I’m really happy that I’m healthy and can participate,” Greenidge said. “They’ve said it was really special and something to be proud of.”
Zachary Cousins, a member of the Acacia fraternity, was one of the students dedicated to the cause. Cousins said his biggest motivation is his parents, who are both cancer survivors.
He said they both discovered their illnesses during their annual doctor’s visit.
“Get everything examined . . . to really fight it as early as possible,” Cousins said.
Ottawa has the highest rates of incidence of cancer in Ontario, according to an Ottawa Public Health report.
Volunteer Bekah Goodman said more events like Relay4Life need to take place to raise awareness.
“I had no idea [about the statistics] . . . more schools need to get involved in this because it’s a really good way to learn more and to help out a good cause, so I think they should do it more often,” Goodman said.
This year Carleton aimed to raise about $80,000 for cancer research, and came close with a final amount of $71,359.56 as of March 3, Krajewski said.
Donations are still being accepted online to reach Carleton’s overall goal, and to surpass the post-secondary record of $84,000.
The various games and events that took place all night kept the students busy and having a good time.
However, Minhas said she doesn’t want all that to take away from the event’s primary purpose
“As much fun as it is, it is something about remembrance,” she said. “Celebrate, fight back. That’s what we’re all about.
