University Hosts Relay For Life

Nearly 400 participants came together April 13 in the Byron Center for The University of Scranton’s Relay for Life event. More than 30 teams collectively raised more than $37,000 toward cancer research and patient care programs.             

The event kicked off at 5 p.m. with its opening ceremony. Following the opening ceremony, survivors of cancer and caregivers of cancer patients were asked to partake in the Survivor/ Caregiver Walk, which consisted of one full lap around the gym. After the survivors and caregivers completed their lap, all other Relay participants were invited to walk the track.

Relay participants could partake in a variety of activities to help them keep moving throughout the night, including taking pictures in a photo booth, jumping in a bounce house and dancing to the music a DJ played in the gym. Competitions, such as knockout and tug-of-war, also took place.

Teams also were able to set up booths around the gym in order to raise extra money for Relay. The Urban Beats Crew team had a pie station where Relay participants could donate money to throw a pie into the face of one of the Urban Beats Crew members. Other teams sold candy, baked goods, Gatorade or soda throughout the night.

A raffle was also held during the event in order to raise extra money for Relay. Some prizes that participants could enter to win included a “The Office” basket, a candy bouquet, Alex and Ani bracelets and an Apple TV. Raffle winners were announced throughout the night.

Performances were made by the University’s Men and Women for Octaves a capella group, Royal Signers and dance team.

The Luminaria Ceremony, which gives participants the opportunity to reflect on everyone that has been touched by cancer, took place at 9 p.m. Luminarias are small, white paper bags. Prior to the event, Relay participants had the opportunity to purchase and decorate a Luminaria in honor or in memory of a loved one who is battling or battled cancer. The Luminaria bags are then placed around the Relay track with glow sticks inside of them.

A ribbon ceremony also took place at midnight. During this ceremony, Relay committee members passed out a variety of colored ribbons associated with different types of cancer. Participants received ribbons that corresponded with the type, or types, of cancer that had touched their lives.

This year’s Relay theme was “Candyland.” Pieces of construction paper adorned the Relay track as a nod to the board game, including colorful paper lanterns decorated as hard candies, construction paper candy canes and construction paper lollipops.      

Relay concluded April 14 at 5 a.m. with its closing ceremony.