Fordham's third-annual Relay For Life, which took place on Sunday, April 20, showed how something as simple as walking around a track can help save lives.
Relay For Life is a national initiative of the American Cancer Society (ACS) that seeks to raise funds for cancer research, advocacy, education and service initiatives as well as bring communities together to fight against cancer. A community and its Relay For Life teams fundraise for months in preparation for a 12-hour event in which participants walk around a track and celebrate together. Relay For Life participants honor survivors of cancer and remember those who have lost their lives. This year Fordham's Relay For Life raised $20,000.
"The theme of Relay For Life is to celebrate, remember and to fight back," Anne Faustin, vice president of the American Cancer Society for the Bronx Region, said. "I commend the Fordham committee members who have made a commitment to reducing the burden of cancer in this community."
The entranceway to Murphy Field was decorated with an arch of purple and white balloons. The day's events kicked off with an opening ceremony in the early afternoon. Jennie Antonakis, Manhattan College '08, sang the National Anthem from a small stage set up on the field. Relay participants sat in the rows of chairs in front of the stage. About 50 participants awaited the first lap of the day, although a total of 173 participants attended the event.
Faustin and Maegan Bell, ACS regional representative for Fordham, gave the introductory comments. According to Bell, 101 people in the Bronx are diagnosed with cancer each week, and another 40 people in the Bronx die from cancer each week. Bell emphasized that the money raised by Fordham's Relay For Life will go toward ACS initiatives in the Bronx.
Antonio Giaimo, FCRH '08, Fordham Relay committee chair and president of Laennec Society, Fordham's pre-health student club, continued the opening ceremony by giving a formal thanks to some of the event's local sponsors.
2008 Woodie Awards
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