Students to walk for cancer research

Jasmine LeFever, a first year graduate student and Residence Hall Association Advisor, has worked hard this year to bring Relay for Life to campus. LeFever lost her mother to cancer and understands the difficulties and obstacles that face those who are dealing with the disease.
“I participated in Relay for Life at UC Santa Barbara and it really helped me cope with my situation,” LeFever said. “Relay was an educational, fun and healing event for me. When I came to USD and discovered that we do not do the event here, I knew I wanted to bring the amazing event to our community.”
Relay for Life is a fundraising event from the American Cancer Foundation that has been around since 1985. It captures the participation of thousands of students throughout schools in California and all across the country. During this 24-hour event, participating groups are encouraged to have at least one member of their team walking the track at all times.
LeFever has been supported by the Residence Hall Association executive board as well as numerous individuals from around campus that either share her story or simply support her cause and want to help to bring this event to USD’s campus. Junior Tom Roth supports the event, and has been involved with Relay for Life since high school. “I was very excited to hear that USD was getting one here,” Roth said. “It’s a good thing to be involved with because almost everyone has been affected in some way by cancer.”
Rachel Weingart, a sophomore at USD, believes in the cause because her uncle and her boyfriend’s mom are both fighting cancer.
“I want to help fight the battle against cancer in any way that I can,” Weingart said. “It’s important to raise awareness for the cause, and a college campus is just the place to do it. Most students here at USD are very fortunate and we often times get wrapped up in the everyday business of college, but it is important for us to give back our time and support for others.”
According to four-year relay participant Kristen Carver, “It is an event like this that truly has the ability to bring a community together in a meaningful way that is different from other events.”
Relay for Life will be held at the Valley Field beginning May 1 at 10 a.m. and participants will continue to walk around the track until 10 a.m. the next morning. Funding from donations goes toward cancer research and patient services.
According to the RHA Executive Board, “We hope that our efforts planning Relay for Life this year will result in making Relay for Life a Torero tradition for years to come.”
The relay began when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Wash. ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease.
Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 20 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness for cancer patients. Thanks to the efforts of Relay participants, the American Cancer Society continues to save lives and promote awareness.
To form a team, participate as a survivor, or volunteer at the event, please email jlefever@sandiego.edu. For more information about Relay for Life, please visit relay.org/usdca.