Relay for Life raises $43,000

The 3rd annual Relay for Life took place over the weekend in the Moore Fieldhouse track.
Over $43,000 was raised for cancer research.

Brittany Galla
News Editor

Three years ago, senior math major Kim Peterson brought Relay for Life to Southern’s campus—and as she prepares to graduate, this weekend’s past event could not be more important to her.

“This one has more meaning to me because my friend died of cancer in October,” she said.

Unlike other years, Peterson started her own team and was able to raise $370.

Altogether, this year’s third annual Relay raised $43,000; which is all going to cancer research.

47 teams came out on Friday night to take part in all the activities—which included a Pirates of the Caribbean movie showing, a scavenger hunt, BBQ, a blues band, face painting, wiffle ball game and inflatables. Besides the activities, teams had to spend the night taking shifts and a walk around the track, while other team members tried to get sleep in their tents.

This year, the survivor speaker was Dr. Mel Goldstein from WTNH-Channel 8.

“A lot of people were excited to see a survivor that they knew,” she said.

22 survivors came out for the last lap around the track: the survival lap.

“This was our most successful event when it comes to the number of people who came and stayed the whole time,” she said.

The top individual fundraiser raised $5,000.

As Relay closes its third successful year, Peterson, who worked with nine other committee members to plan the event, hope Relay continues on.

“I would like to see it last longer than three years,” she said.

Sean Gilmartin, a senior English education major and Relay co-chair said he also hopes so.

“With Kim leaving, I hope this tradition and the fight continues,” he said.

While the future of Relay may be unsure, Peterson can graduate with a sense of personal pride.

“We have raised almost $140,000 in three years,” she said. “It is a big deal for Southern, and is something Southern can definitely be proud of.”