FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications, (304) 696-7153
 

‘Relay for Life’ comes to Marshall this weekend

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The American Cancer Society will host the 2008 Relay for Life of Marshall University at 6 p.m. Friday, April 18 on the Memorial Student Center plaza on the Huntington campus. The event will last throughout the night and will end at 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 19.

“Cancer does not sleep, so neither do Relay for Life participants,” said Kristina Isaacs, co-chair of the event.

According to Isaacs, Relay for Life is a fun-filled event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. Teams of family members, friends, co-workers, and others join together each year to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and make a difference in the community. In honor of those who battle cancer 24 hours a day, team members typically take turns walking around Buskirk Field throughout the day and night.

For those not walking, there are other activities including entertainment, food, games, remembrance ceremonies and stories of inspiration.

“Every unique Relay for Life is truly a community event, where new friends are made, old friends are hugged and hearts are touched by the magic that is Relay,” Isaacs said.  “It is an event like no other.”

As at every Relay for Life event, cancer survivors are recognized through the Survivor’s Lap. Participants can also remember loved ones lost to the disease with the Luminaria Ceremony.

“We fight back against cancer because everyone has been touched by cancer and we want to put an end to the disease,” Isaacs said. “Relay helps individuals make a commitment to save lives by taking up the fight.”

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, persons may call Isaacs at (304) 419-2810 or visit the event Web site at http://events.cancer.org/rflmarshalluniversity.

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