Relay for Life surpasses its goal
Virginia Tech’s Relay for Life, held on April 22-23 at Virginia Tech’s Johnson Miller Track, exceeded its goal and raised more than $102,000 for cancer research.
The donation amount and participation well surpassed last year’s event, in which $75,000 was raised by 60 teams at Virginia Tech. This year, 105 teams helped raise that amount by $27,000.
“Our total online donation was over $75,000, which is 9th in the country among schools using online donating,” said Steve Schneiter, faculty adviser for the Student Government Association, the parent organization for Relay for Life. “This is also top in the ACC; we beat out UNC Chapel Hill by more than $15,000.”
These numbers will continue to fluctuate, however, as more money is counted and colleges complete their events. The most up-to-date results are available.
This is the fourth year Virginia Tech has hosted the event, which raises money for the American Cancer Society. During this time, the event has grown to encompass more than 104 teams from 36 student organizations, 16 academic societies, 31 Greek teams, 11 corporations, and 20 community teams, totaling more than 1,200 participants. In 2004, the Virginia Tech Relay for Life won the Atlantic Division’s award for the “Best Online Relay” as well as being included in the Top-20 University Relays nationwide among all campus relays.
“This is an outstanding example of students, faculty, staff, and community members coming together for a very important cause,” said Edward Spencer, associate vice president for Student Affairs.
The Student Government Association of Virginia Tech becomes a partner with the American Cancer Society each spring to touch and rally students, faculty, staff, and Blacksburg neighbors to raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. Each participating team spends the previous months in preparation and fundraising through community events, service projects, and individual efforts. The night of Relay is the culmination of all the hard work where participants enjoy entertainment, games, music, great food, camaraderie and tons of fun.
Relay for Life is the nationwide signature activity for the American Cancer Society and the single largest non-profit event in the world. Relay is a community developed, volunteer driven, team event to fight cancer. The event consists of an overnight affair in which families, clubs, schools, businesses, churches, service groups, public employee groups, health care professionals unite in celebration and memorial to the fight of cancer.
