In just one week, Allen Arena will be flooded with college students raising money to fight cancer. Relay for Life is known around the nation for it’s dedication to finding a cure for cancer, and for the first time, Lipscomb will be a relay host.
“I’m excited for the actual event,” said Kara Philpot, a senior Public Relations major and Relay for Life participant. “We started working on it back in August so there’s been a lot of planning.”
Philpot said Lipscomb has 36 teams with at least 10 people on each team. Every team member has an average goal of $100, making the team goal $1000 or more.
“Our [overall] goal is $50,000,” Philpot said. “It’s a big goal. We’ve made a good amount [so far]. But, they say two or three weeks before the event is when you raise 90-percent of your funds, so we’re hoping for that last big final push.”
The Relay committees have been planning all year for this event and students have a lot to get excited about.
“To start off, President Lowry will come in and do a welcome,” Philpot said. “Then there is going to be a lap for cancer survivors and those that are going through [cancer]; and then a caregiver lap, and then all the teams will get out there and do a lap. And, then the party starts!”
Students can expect to be hyped-up on food and entertainment throughout the evening. Competitions and games will be going on during the night to raise money for Relay for Life, as well as keep students awake and walking.
“There’s gonna be lots of different food, most of it we’ve gotten donated for free, like Pei Wei and pancakes,” Philpot said. “There’s gonna be a Blacklight party and video game room, too, and maybe some competitions like DDR. There’s a lot of stuff to just get you pumped up throughout the night and keep you awake.”
Lipscomb’s relay teams are made up of students all across campus. Social clubs, service clubs, academic groups and many other teams have come together to raise cancer awareness.
Mary Elizabeth Hilliar, a member of the MedClub relay team, said she is excited about the event because it will be an opportunity for her to remember her grandfather who died with cancer.
“Relay for Life is something I’ve grown up watching my mom and grandma do in memory of my grandfather,” Hilliar said. “Now that I’m away from home, I can represent him on my own team.”
Lipscomb’s relay will start February 1 at 6:00 p.m. and continue through the night until 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning. The relay will be in Allen Arena.
For more information about Relay for Life, visit their official website.