Relay For Life is one of St. John’s biggest charity events hosted every year in April. This year’s 10th annual walk-a-thon has over 1,300 participants registered with 121 teams ready to show support for cancer survivors, connect with lost loved ones, be in solidarity with those who are still fighting cancer and walk all night around Carnesecca Arena.
According to Alex Kaiser, the entertainment chair for the Relay For Life committee, the event planning started back in November, with yearlong fundraising all leading up to the big event.
“I am greatly looking forward to this Friday when St. John’s students and faculty will come together to move towards a world without cancer,” Kaiser said.
The event will have games, food, performances and activities throughout the night. There will also be an opening ceremony and a Luminaria ceremony to reflect on why participants are involved in the Relay events.
“I’m really looking forward to the laps done and the Luminaria ceremony,” Tyler Defranco, president of Sigma Pi Fraternity, said. “It’s a great way to honor those who have lost their lives to the disease.”
The Relay For Life committee is excited for this year’s event, hoping that all the registered teams and participants continue, even after this Friday’s event, to help raise money and show support to the research, cancer survivors, lost loved ones and those who are still fighting the disease.
“We have put so much love into planning and executing every detail of this event that I hope students enjoy their night at Relay,” Kaiser said.
On the day of the event, students come dressed in their team and group colored gear. The event brings all the organizations together to march through the night in support for the fight towards cancer.
Michelle Suniaga, sophomore and member of Theta Phi Alpha, is excited to be with all the different organizations on campus, to help raise money and bear the story of survivors.
Last year, the St. John’s community raised over $106,000. All proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society has been the leading cancer research organization for over 100 years with a focus on finding measures of cancer prevention.
As of April 11, St. John’s University has raised over $51k and that number continues to grow.
“I believe that this Friday is going to be the best Relay yet, as it is sure to be a magical evening,” Kaiser said.
