2008 Woodie Awards
Students form teams to fight cancer
By Beth Warren
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Culture
The American Cancer Society challenges students to show their passion for running, and take a stand against cancer in the Relay For Life on April 18 at the GPS high-school track field.
The theme this year is "Relay Around the World," with an emphasis on the blended participation from international groups of high school and college students.
The American Cancer Society encourages all Hamilton County schools and colleges to participate.
Melody Dale, a Chattanooga sophomore, is team captain for one of the teams at UTC.
Her team includes members of the Honors Program and Spanish club, as well as French majors and minors.
"It's really cool that the American Cancer Society is trying to get younger people involved because cancer affects any age," Dale said. "I think we as college students tend to forget about that.
"The Relay for Life that UTC will be participating in is part of a new program: 'Colleges Against Cancer,'" she said.
"The actual night of Relay for Life is April 18 starting at 6 p.m. and it goes till 7 a.m. the next morning. The idea is 'Cancer never sleeps and neither do we!' It's a great night with a cancer survivor walk, lots of food and games, live bands, all the different team tents selling cool things and later a special ceremony in memory of all the cancer patients who have passed."
Dale said there are limitless ways to raise funds for a team.
"You could do a bake sale, sell luminaries, which people buy in memory of cancer patients, make crafts and sell them, have a formal fundraiser and even sell food the night of the event," Dale said.
According to Dale, at last year's Relay for Life, Tennessee raised more than $12 million to give to help fund cancer research, patient advocacy, education and services.
Jessica Sherrill, a freshman from Huntsville, Ala., who is a member of Dale's team, shares the enthusiasm for the relay.
"I have never participated before, but I am super pumped about finding out more about this experience firsthand by participating this year!" Sherrill said.
Sarah McCary, a sophomore from Kingsport, Tenn., is also a member of Dale's team and is looking forward to the relay.
"I have never participated in the Relay For Life here in Chattanooga," she said.
"I have only participated back home, so I am happy to help...get a team together," McCary said.
The theme this year is "Relay Around the World," with an emphasis on the blended participation from international groups of high school and college students.
The American Cancer Society encourages all Hamilton County schools and colleges to participate.
Melody Dale, a Chattanooga sophomore, is team captain for one of the teams at UTC.
Her team includes members of the Honors Program and Spanish club, as well as French majors and minors.
"It's really cool that the American Cancer Society is trying to get younger people involved because cancer affects any age," Dale said. "I think we as college students tend to forget about that.
"The Relay for Life that UTC will be participating in is part of a new program: 'Colleges Against Cancer,'" she said.
"The actual night of Relay for Life is April 18 starting at 6 p.m. and it goes till 7 a.m. the next morning. The idea is 'Cancer never sleeps and neither do we!' It's a great night with a cancer survivor walk, lots of food and games, live bands, all the different team tents selling cool things and later a special ceremony in memory of all the cancer patients who have passed."
Dale said there are limitless ways to raise funds for a team.
"You could do a bake sale, sell luminaries, which people buy in memory of cancer patients, make crafts and sell them, have a formal fundraiser and even sell food the night of the event," Dale said.
According to Dale, at last year's Relay for Life, Tennessee raised more than $12 million to give to help fund cancer research, patient advocacy, education and services.
Jessica Sherrill, a freshman from Huntsville, Ala., who is a member of Dale's team, shares the enthusiasm for the relay.
"I have never participated before, but I am super pumped about finding out more about this experience firsthand by participating this year!" Sherrill said.
Sarah McCary, a sophomore from Kingsport, Tenn., is also a member of Dale's team and is looking forward to the relay.
"I have never participated in the Relay For Life here in Chattanooga," she said.
"I have only participated back home, so I am happy to help...get a team together," McCary said.
