SU Relay For Life Named No. 1 in the Nation For Third Year
SALISBURY, MD---Raising some $114,000 for the American Cancer Society, Salisbury University’s 2005 Relay For Life recently was named the No. 1 college Relay in the nation in per-capita fund-raising.
This is the third consecutive year SU has earned the country’s top spot. This year’s event grew to include over 800 members of the SU community on more than 80 teams.
In addition to the national ranking, SU earned several regional awards from the American Cancer Society of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C. They included:
Highest Percent Increase (175 percent) over last year in the Delmarva region
Highest Percent Increase (175 percent) over last year in the state grouping (Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C.)
Highest per Capita for College and University Relays (12) within the state grouping
Outstanding College and University in the Region
Outstanding College and University in the South Atlantic Division (among Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C.)
“We started in the fall semester recruiting and advertising for the Relay that would be held in April, and the response was overwhelming,” said Kimberly Bartlett, co-chair of the 2005 Relay. “By the night of Relay, we had almost doubled our goal for money raised and the event hadn’t even taken place yet. I knew we were going to make Relay history.”
She credited two fellow chairpersons with that success: Team Recruitment Chair Jessica Mullins and Online Fundraising Chair Brittany Hulme.
“These two individuals really made Relay happen with their hard work and enthusiasm,” she said.
“It has been an honor to work with this group of young leaders,” said Rosemary Thomas, vice president of Advancement at SU and Relay For Life co-advisor. “They understand that cancer knows no boundaries and from what I have seen… neither does their dedication to helping find a cure.”
In the past 20 years, Relay For Life has spread to more than 4,500 communities in the US, and to more than 12 foreign countries.
“I am really proud to be associated with Relay For Life at SU because I think we really make a difference in people's lives,” Bartlett said. “It also goes to show that the young people of today really can help, really do care and really can make a difference in the world. SU has put its place on the map now nationally for Relay success. I hope that this year's Relay and the Relays to come in the future can do just as well, if not better.” Proceeds from Relay For Life benefit the American Cancer Society’s programs of research, education, patient services and advocacy. For more information call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. "