College Community to Walk through the Night at "Relay for Life" Fundraiser for Cancer Society

CHESTERTOWN, MD—The Washington College community will join the fight against cancer this Saturday, April 16, in the Johnson Fitness Center with the first Relay for Life event to be held on campus. More than 400 participants, including students, faculty, staff, and President and Mrs. Mitchell Reiss, are expected at the fundraiser, which takes place overnight, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.—because cancer never sleeps—to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. To date, organizers have raised $21,500 of their $35,000 goal. To make a donation to the WAC Relay for Life team, visit http://www.relayforlife.org/washingtoncollege.

The evening will begin with the Survivors Lap, a chance for cancer survivors to make a group “victory lap” in celebration of beating cancer. After dark, participants will take time to honor lost loved ones and their families with a Luminaria Ceremony, walking a lap in silence while holding a candle and the name of a person taken by the disease. The event concludes with the Fight Back Ceremony, when “Relayers” will each make a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer.

In addition to these three ceremonies, Relay for Life will have ongoing events within the event. They will include on-site team fundraisers such as bake sales, games, and silent auctions. Centreville salon Cottage Cuts will be on hand to cut the hair of 10 women who want to donate their tresses to Locks of Love. Attendees can participate in fun competitions throughout the night, all set to the live music of Coastal Vibrations.

Prior to the event, at 5 p.m., a Survivor’s Dinner will honor anyone who is a cancer survivor. If you would like to attend or learn more about the dinner, contact Megan Kummerlowe at mkummerlowe2@washcoll.edu.

Relay for Life is open to anyone. The registration fee of $10 includes entrance to the event and a T-shirt. Some family members and Chestertown residents have signed up to join the College community on Saturday. Participants can register that night, or sign up in advance on the website (http://www.relayforlife.org/washingtoncollege). For information not found on the website, contact Relay for Life Co-chairs Caitlyn Riehl (717-283-6037; criehl2@washcoll.edu) and Devin Reilly (443-804-1887; dreilly2@washcoll.edu).