More Than 700 Gear Up For Fourth Annual Relay For Life

Wednesday April 20, 2005

class=""MsoNormal"">SALISBURY, MD---With over 80 teams representing more than 700 people, Salisbury University’s fourth annual Relay For Life is promising to be one of its largest celebrations of cancer survivors and honoring families of cancer victims yet.

class=""MsoNormal"">The number of University teams has nearly tripled from past years, adding to the variety of fundraisers for Relay. A wide variety of student clubs, athletics, honor societies and Greek organizations are involved.

class=""MsoNormal"">Athletics participants include two field hockey teams, two swimming teams, women’s rugby, tennis, track and field, and cheerleading.

class=""MsoNormal"">The swim team’s theme is “Splish and Splash: Wash Away Cancer.” Its campsite features blue and white balloons symbolizing bubbles on which participants may attach the name of a loved one touched by cancer. The “bubbles” represent “washing away cancer.” Other on-site fundraisers include a rubber duck dive.

class=""MsoNormal"">The tennis team hosted a “Volley Against Cancer” doubles tournament recently to raise money. The team also hosts ping pong games onsite during Relay.

class=""MsoNormal"">The field hockey team’s focus is on food, selling hamburgers and hot dogs.

class=""MsoNormal"">This overnight event is 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Friday-Saturday, April 22-23, at SU’s intramural fields on Wayne Street. A survivors’ ceremony and reception begins at 5 p.m. SU faculty and staff, student and alumni cancer survivors are encouraged to attend. A survivors’ lap immediately follows the ceremony. A luminaria ceremony is held at dusk to honor those touched by cancer.

class=""MsoNormal"">This year’s pre-event total stands at almost $24,000, ranking SU eighth among college and community Relay events in the South Atlantic region. For the past two years, SU has emerged No. 1 in the nation in per-capita campus Relay fundraising following. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Relay Web site at www.acsevents.org/SUrelay. "