SU Relay Raises $86,000, Contributions Continue

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University’s Relay For Life is consistently among the top collegiate Relays in the nation, and 2010 marked another highly successful event. Some $80,000 has been raised so far, and contributions are ongoing.

The signature American Cancer Society fundraiser was held Friday-Saturday, April 30-May 1, at the SU Intramural Fields. This year’s theme was “Battle of the Bands.”

Cancer survivors from campus and the greater community participated in a survivors lap and reception immediately following opening ceremonies.

“Survivors are the reason we relay,” said Agata Liszkowska of SU’s Center for International Education. “A survivor is anyone who has ever heard the words ‘you have cancer.’ Being part of the survivors lap celebrates what you’ve overcome, while inspiring and motivating the community to fight. Survivors are proof that cancer can be defeated.”

Some 120 teams representing more than 1,100 SU students, faculty, staff, families and community members participated in the 2010 Relay. All proceeds benefit cancer research, education, patient services and advocacy programs.

“The amount of money we have raised so far is amazing,” said junior Lauren Friedman, who co-chairs the event with junior Ali Horkey. “I’m excited that so many people have Relay on their mind and put a huge effort into making the event a success.”

With more than $70,000 in donations last year, SU’s Relay for Life was among the Top 100 collegiate fundraising events nationwide. Since 2002, SU has raised more than $700,000 for the society.

SU has twice been named one of only 20 “Leaders of Hope” by Colleges Against Cancer, an American Cancer Society program that unites college students, faculty and staff from more than 300 campuses in the fight against cancer. SU also was named CAC’s “Rookie of the Year” Relay chapter, and the University’s CAC chapter won a 2008 Outstanding Advocacy Award, one of only six honors given nationwide.

The ACS is a community-based organization dedicated to eliminating cancer through efforts such as Relay For Life, which in the past 20 years has spread to more than 4,500 U.S. communities and 12 foreign countries.

For more information, contact Friedman or Horkey at Relay4Life@salisbury.edu. To make a contribution, visit the SU Relay Web site at www.relayforlife.org/su.