FSU Relay for Life Kicks Off in a Big Way

Florida State’s Relay for Life held its fall kick-off event on Wednesday, October 3^rd in University Center D. Relay for Life is an overnight fundraising walk that raises money for the American Cancer Society. ACS then puts the money towards cancer research efforts, support groups for cancer patients and their caregivers, and funding Hope Lodges, a free place for patients and caregivers to stay when a patient is receiving treatment that is far from home. Relay is one of the biggest fundraising events at FSU, with participants raising more than $192,000 last year. FSU Relay is the top fundraising university in the state, and is 13^th in the nation.

Photo by portorikan via Flickr.com

Although the Relay for Life event only happens once a year, teams at Florida State start forming and raising money early in the fall semester. 41 teams have already helped to raise over $2,000 so far. This year, the FSU Executive Team is encouraging teams to help FSU break the $200,000 mark.

The Fall Kick-Off Party announced this year’s event theme, Party For A Cure. It was hosted by campus celebrity emcee’s Jillian Tapper, FSU feature twirler and Miss FSU, and a member of C.Y.P.H.E.R., FSU’s hip-hop culture club. Other guest appearances included the FSU Golden Girls, the FSU Cheerleaders, the Acabelles, and members of the Florida State men’s basketball team. The basketball team also announced that they would be sponsoring Relay for Life this year by making a donation to the Relay team that has the highest member attendance at specific games this season.

This year, FSU is relaying for “Every ‘Nole Who Can’t.” This month’s meeting focused on Adam Morrison, a 22-year-old Florida State senior who lost his battle with cancer in August. Mark T. Zeigler, a professor in the College of Communication who was Adam’s teacher, mentor and friend, spoke about Adam with an impassioned speech that reminded everyone there why Relay for Life is so important.

The Relay for Life event will take place on April 5-6, 2013 at the FSU Sports Plex. The opening ceremonies are scheduled to start at 6pm. The event will go overnight, spanning a total of 18 hours. For more information on how to get involved with FSU Relay for Life, visit http://relayforlife.org/fsufl.