First Relay for Life draws campus-wide support

Twenty-four hours make up one day; in that amount of time it is possible to change one life, or thousands. This past Saturday and Sunday, May 1 through 2, on the Valley field, USD hosted Relay for Life for the first time.
RFL, an American Cancer Society (ACS) overnight event, originated in the United States and now has spread to 21 countries worldwide. The ACS is a non-profit, non-governmental funder of cancer research that spends approximately $120 million each year on cancer research.
The relay commemorates the lives of people who have battled cancer throughout the world. Participants remember lost loved ones, fund future research and help those struggling to beat the disease. In the weeks leading up to this event, members of the USD community signed up to be on teams, which were then sponsored by donors.
The teams camped out and took turns walking around the field. Online websites and social-networking groups helped with the organization, funding and publicity. ACS believes that they are "the official sponsors of birthdays," as the research they fund could potentially extend the lives of cancer patients.
During the 24-hour relay, celebratory and remembrance events took place, involving a Survivor Lap, a Luminaria Ceremony with guest speaker and cancer survivor Jesse Burns and a Fight Back Ceremony at the event's closing.
USD participants surpassed their goal of raising $15,000, as well as their goal of creating 24 teams. There were more than 300 participants, and approximately 400 hand-decorated luminaries, created by volunteers. RFL will be on campus again next year and an anticipated, Colleges against Cancer club is in the works for USD.
Jasmine Lefever  is the USD graduate who brought RFL to USD's campus this year. She said she is grateful for all of the support of diverse groups from USD and "appreciates USD's support, enthusiasm and passion while being thankful to see people that are touched by what is being done."
Jen Briggs is ACS's Youth Programs Manager and USD's RFL Staff Partner. Sponsors of the event included RFL, USD Associated Students, USD Residential Hall Association, UCSD, Boudin's Bakery, Einstein's Bagels and Food for Less.
The event music was presented by USD Radio, and a DJ was provided by USD Associated Students. Visit  relay.org/usdca to learn more about the event and to donate to the cause.