College Continues Fight against Cancer

04/01/2014 

Hundreds of SUNY Cortland campus community members plan to walk for miles in honor of cancer survivors on Saturday, April 12.

The College will host its annual Relay For Life event, which looks to raise awareness and money to fight the deadly disease, starting at 4 p.m. in the Park Center Alumni Arena.

“I am participating … because I want to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer,” said Melissa Raychel, vice president of Colleges Against Cancer. “I relay because I woke up this morning, and someone else didn’t. I relay because someone’s life depends on it.”

“In the fight against cancer, silence is the last thing we need,” the SUNY Cortland Relay for Life event page reads. “Relay for Life is a great place to take action and make noise.

“The American Cancer Society movement symbolizes hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love.”

The event will feature lots of activities. At Relay for Life in years past, these have included pudding eating contests, sumo wrestling, Zumba and the video game contests. Groups such as Cortland Dance Company also have put on performances for attendees.

Food and beverages are sold all night to keep participants fueled.            

During a past Relay for Life walkathon, supporters walked  on the SUNY Cortland campus to show support and raise money for a cancer cure.

“I think that it’s extremely important that as many people attend this event as possible,” said Steven Martimucci, who participates on behalf of the Delta Chi Fraternity, over which he presides. The fraternity will help staff the registration booth and plans to send in a walking team.

“Cancer impacts the lives of millions of people each year, either directly or through a loved one," Martimucci said. "It is for those people that we need to show our support.”

As of March 31, more than $12,000 already had been raised for the cause by 47 SUNY Cortland teams and 522 participants. Last year, the campus received $28,892 in donations for the fund drive.

To register for this year’s event, to make a donation or for more information, visit the 2014 SUNY Cortland Relay For Life website. New participants have the option to start a new Relay for Life team, join an existing team or “walk the survivor lap.”