Relay for Life fights cancer for 8th year at MU

Almost 1,000 participants raised money for cancer research.

By Theresa Berens

Published April 6, 2009

On Saturday night, the bright stadium lights that normally illuminate Stankowski Field were dark.

The only lights were part of Luminaria, small candles sold for $10 as part of MU's eighth annual Relay for Life fundraising efforts. Tea candles flickered in white paper bags to honor and remember those who have battled cancer.

The members of American Cancer Society's Relay for Life work together toward a day when no one will ever have to deal with cancer again. The Luminaria ceremony was a chance for the event participants to come together and remember why they are there: to grieve, reflect and celebrate their lives and the lives of people who battle cancer.

Freshman steering committee member Kaitlin Oxenreider said it was the most powerful part of Relay for Life.

"It brings everyone together, you see that everyone's here for the same cause," she said.

This was Oxenreider's fifth year participating in Relay for Life, after her involvement all four years of high school in her hometown Springfield.

Many participants, such as freshman Nicole Thompson, chose to become involved with Relay for Life as a way to honor of their connections with someone with cancer.

"This is my fourth year participating," said Thompson, a member of a Phi Mu sorority relay team. "I love it. It's a really emotional experience."

Although Relay for Life is an event often filled with tears, it is also an opportunity for participants to socialize and celebrate their fight against the disease. The event ran 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday, so many participants brought games to pass the time at their campsites along the track. This year's theme, "Cancer: Just Beat It," inspired some participants to dress in '80s-style clothing to honor Relay for Life's 25th anniversary.

Steering committee member Ben Hagen explained the large amount of planning that went into securing bands, comedy performers and games for the event. He said providing entertainment was one way to keep the participants awake into the late hours.

Fundraising continued into the night, with games, food and face-painting booths provided by individual Relay for Life teams. This year the event's 935 participants were divided into 101 teams from different groups across campus, such as Greek organizations and residence halls.

Groups for the Columbia community also had the opportunity to become involved with the event. This year marked the first year the Columbia branch of PartyLite, direct in-home candle sale company, participated MU's Relay for Life.

PartyLite donated the candles used in the Luminaria ceremony. In addition, they ask their customers to round their purchase up to the next dollar amount to donate to the cause.

"Almost every day we're doing something for ACS," said Laura Rachatellelle, an independent candle consultant who supplied the candles to PartyLite.

Relay for Life is more than a fundraiser for many participants. Freshman Mandy Newman, member of a Schurz residence hall relay team, was personally affected this fall when her grandmother died from liver cancer.

She said that though raising money is very important, the event itself is the most significant aspect.

"Anything where you can invest time as well as money, a physical showing, it's a lot more meaningful," she said.