Relay for Life raises $185,000 to fight cancer

3:14 p.m., May 11, 2005--Five hundred pizzas, 1,500 bananas, innumerable bags of chips, pretzels and breakfast bagels fueled the energy of the approximately 1,700 participants and 135 teams in the annual UD Relay for Life May 7-8 at the Delaware Field House, raising more than $185,000 for cancer research and education.

It was an “unforgettable, incredible, amazing relay,” according to junior Katrina Salvatoriello, who cochaired the all-night event with junior Michelle Meehan. Both have been working on the this year’s relay since last May. “It took a lot of time, effort and energy,” Salvatoriello said, “but this has been the best experience of my life.”

The opening ceremony began around 6 p.m., Saturday, May 7, followed by an opening lap led by cancer survivors. From then on, each of the 135 teams had at least one member on the track at all times.

At 9 p.m., the lights were dimmed and candle-lit bags commemorating those with cancer were placed around the track while participants joined hands to form a huge circle and stood for a moment of silence, before walking the track again throughout the night.

There was lots of fun--deejays, bands, musical groups, face painting, arts and crafts--and games--carnival games, dodgeball, softball, twister and poker, Salvatoriello said. A favorite was organized by resident assistants, “Strike Back on Your RA,” where students could buy a pie or water balloons to toss at RAs lining the wall. Other fund-raisers included massages or being pushed around the track on a sofa on wheels.

Every hour was a special lap, the favorite being the Team Theme Lap, where the winning team dressed as wrestlers with the theme, ”Tackling Cancer.”

At the closing ceremony the next morning, Delta Gamma sorority was honored as the top fund-raising team. The climax of the closing ceremony was the announcement of the grand total raised, which was a secret to everyone, except the money counters, who had been secluded in a room on the top floor of the field house.

“We incredibly raised over $185,000, well over our goal of $175,000. I have a passion for relay because of the numerous loved ones affected by cancer,” Salvatoriello said, “but it just made me so happy to see everyone come together for such a great cause. I can’t thank everyone enough!”

Article by Sue Moncure
Photos by Duane Perry

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