Relay for Life Tops Fundraising Goals

Whether managing Amen Jail or buying a hot dog, hundreds of Exonians flocked to the Love Gym to support the Academy’s annual Relay For Life event to help raise funds for the fight against cancer. This year’s event was held in honor of the late math instructor and coach Rick Parris.This year, Relay for Life raised over $3000, according to ESSO’s Community Service Coordinator Laurie Loosigian. All of the fundraised money will go directly to American Cancer Society where it will be used for greater purposes such as cancer research. Fundraising booths were scattered around the gym, where students would use tickets to participate in activities.During the Luminaria ceremony, students and faculty alike came together to listen to the stories of those who have been affected by cancer, including both students and faculty. They spoke of how they’ve seen others struggle with cancer and how it has inspired them to reevaluate aspects of their own lives.

Co-head of Relay For Life planning committee, upper Audrey Zheng, spoke of her relationship with cancer and the relay. "Both of my grandmothers are cancer survivors, and many others I know have died or fought back. An upper in my dorm then, Virginia Giannini, was running the event, so it was really easy for me to get involved," she said. "I was on the planning committee prep and lower years, on the Bancroft team both years, and last year I ran the EP Draw."Since winter term, co-heads upper Becca Niever and Zheng split all the planning including team recruitment, P.R., team management and the planning of the Luminaria ceremony. "Cancer has affected so many so sharply that this event is one that I think is rather special. We get so many dorms, clubs, and teams involved, and everyone really comes together during the Luminaria ceremony," Zheng said. "We go through our days here in a largely selfish haze, focused more on finishing our history papers due next format than on other people or the world outside of Exeter. I think Relay is an opportunity for everyone to learn about each other, and to be supportive of each other as a community."Niever was impressed with the success of this year’s event. "Relay for Life is a huge production that takes months to plan, and the beauty of what we do is in that half an hour at the Luminaria ceremony where there are tears and smiles," she said. "I am so thrilled and relieved that the event went so well this year and I am excited for next year’s."Many were both touched and amazed by the event. "Relay for Life is really important to me because cancer runs in my family and I have several relatives who have it now, so it’s personal that way," senior Catherine Shipps said. "Also, I think it’s a good cause to use to inspire the community to reach out to others."Prep Fedja Celebic was prompted to attend the event when his friend’s mother recently passed away from cancer. "It’s a creative method of fundraising that I haven’t experienced before," he said.Prep Jake Ashton particularly enjoyed the button making station. "The creativity you have there is endless," he said. "It is nice to know that people will take some of their free time on the weekend to support this event that is for a such a great cause."