Bulletin News

11/16/2010 

For SUNY Cortland junior Alaina Repetto, the fight against cancer has hit close to home multiple times. Seven years ago she lost her grandmother to liver cancer. Last year her grandfather was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Over the summer, her best friend’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I think students should get involved because not only are you helping save people’s lives, but you may be saving the ones you love,” said Repetto, president of the SUNY Cortland chapter of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC).

Repetto of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., will chair the sixth annual Relay for Life from Saturday, Dec. 4, until Sunday, Dec. 5, at the newly renovated Lusk Field House located off Pashley Drive on the campus.

The overnight, circus-themed event is scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. and is open to the public.

Proceeds will underwrite cancer research, patient support programs and services, prevention and early detection programs, advocacy and public policy, and cancer information services. 

To make a donation or to create or join a team, visit the Relay for Life website at www.relayforlife.org/sunycortland.

“Not only do we want to raise money but we want to make students aware that cancer not only affects older people, but people our age and younger as well,” Repetto added.

Last year 71 teams raised $39,000. This year organizers aspire to assemble 75 teams and raise $35,000.

“As of today, more than 500 participants on more than 70 teams have raised more than $20,000, and we expect to see those numbers increase in the next few weeks,” said Nanette Pasquarello, director of judicial affairs, who serves as this year’s campus advisor.

As an additional fundraiser, in the days leading up to and during the event CAS will be selling t-shirts in Corey Union for $8 each. 

"SUNY Cortland's Relay for Life has become a really energizing tradition on campus,” said Pasquarello. “Relay gives us a chance to do something positive by celebrating survivors, raising money for cancer research, and remembering those lost to cancer. The student leaders from Colleges Against Cancer have been doing a fantastic job planning an event that will no doubt be very successful and a great deal of fun.”

For more information about the Cortland Relay for Life, contact Repetto at cortlandcac@gmail.com.

For more information on Relay for Life events, contact Jillian Ladouceur ’07, American Cancer Society associate.