VSU Hosts Third Annual ACS Relay for Life

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University will host the third annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Friday, April 24, on the front lawn.

VSU’s relay will feature more than 40 teams, many of which will provide other activities throughout the night. The event will kick off with a survivor speaker followed by the Mr. Relay Pageant, Relay Idol, Hollywood Double, a kickball tournament, musical chairs and a fight back ceremony. Luminaries can be purchased for $5 and may be decorated in any way by the buyer.

“This is my second year participating in the campus Relay for Life and I love it,” said Rebecca Murphy Walk Around the Clock Captain. “It is a way to connect with colleagues on a level beyond our every day job tasks; we are helping our campus and the student body achieve its fundraising goal for a cause that has affected all of us in some way.”

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer accounts for nearly one-quarter of deaths in the United States, exceeded only by heart diseases. In 2005, there were 559,312 cancer deaths in the US. The ACS sponsors relays around the country, giving local communities the opportunity to fight cancer, celebrate cancer survivors and remember loved-ones lost. VSU relay organizers expect to raise more than $50,000 this year.
“My sister died of lung cancer when she was 38 years old and last year, I dedicated my efforts to her," Murphy said. "This year, I am dedicating my efforts to my Uncle Joe who passed away three years ago.”

Call John Wright at (229) 333-5674 for more information about purchasing luminaries or visit www.relayforlife.org/vsu for information about the event.



Team Sponsored Events:

LASA
The Latin American Student Association members are selling tickets for the drawing of a $50 gas card. Tickets can be purchased for $1 at the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, West Hall room 128, or from any LASA member. Call Chris Roquemore at 229-333-5948 for information.

Keppler's Krue
Kepplers Krue is raffling a kayak that will be awarded the night of the relay. The team is also hosting dress down day on Wednesday, April 22. VSU employees can pay $5 to wear jeans.


Walk Around the Clock
The Walk Around the Clock team is sponsoring a contest until Thursday, April 23, called Penny Wars. The team will collect pennies jars placed in competing departments. Each penny collected will give the team points while silver coins or dollars will subtract points. All money raised will go to the ACS.

The team is also selling $1 tickets to be entered in a drawing to have lunch with President Patrick J. Schloss. Three winners will be selected and each winner can bring a friend to the lunch with the president. The drawing will be held at midnight on Friday, April 24. Exact date and location for the lunch will be determined once winners are selected to accommodate schedules.

Tickets can be purchased by e-mailing Yvonne Leroy-Landers, assistant to the vice president for Finance and Administration, at ybleroylanders@valdosta.edu or Terence Sullivan, advisor and tutor coordinator for the Student Success Center at tasullivan@valdosta.edu .

E-mail Rebecca Murphy at rbowes@valdosta.edu or stop by the WAC tent during the relay for more information about the WAC team and its fundraising opportunities.