What do you think about when you hear the word “cancer?” For most people, a person affected by cancer comes to mind. Further, this person is usually someone that you personally know. Cancer affects us in more ways that we even realize, and is surrounding us everywhere. Cancer is the number two leading cause of death in the United States, and takes the lives of millions each year. All statistics aside, this disease affects our brothers, sisters, moms, dads, cousins, teachers, and can affect absolutely anyone. For me, I have two of my grandparents to cancer. I actually hate cancer, and when I found Relay for Life in high school, I realized just how wonderful this organization is for people like me… those who want to find a cure. I continued with Relay into college, and I have found it even more rewarding than I ever could've imagined.

For all of those who may not know, Relay for Life is an organization that raises money for the American Cancer Society, funding cancer research initiatives and ultimately fighting for a cure to cancer. Their motto is to Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back. We strive to celebrate the those who have battled cancer, remember those who have lost their lives to cancer, and fight back to put an end to the disease. The program encourages people to raise this money to fundraise for “the cure.” Now, I know, sometimes fundraising can seem a little daunting or frustrating. Personally, I don’t think I’m always so great at asking people for money. However, as stated before, pretty much everyone (unfortunately) knows someone who has been affected by cancer (or knows someone who knows someone). Some may not think that fundraising actually makes a difference, but with raising money for cancer research, the American Cancer Society has helped many people detect their cancer earlier and beat it. Cancer survival rates are higher than ever, but we cannot stop until we have reached 100% survival-- and find the cure.

While Relay does aim at fundraising, it really is so much more. Team members can visit cancer patients. Relay For Life is an annual “relay” AKA an all-night event where members, survivors, and members of the community come together and stay up all night. The night is spent fundraising and "relaying" around a track, always having someone walking around it symbolizing that we will relay until we ultimately find the cure to this dreaded disease. While an all-night event may seem daunting, ti was one of the highlights of my year last year. The night is filled with fun activities and there were countless booths selling baked goods, doing henna tattoos, bouncy houses and so much more. All fun and games aside, the most influential moment, to me, was the luminaria ceremony. Basically, a luminary is a symbolic remembrance that people buy in honor of their loved ones. These luminaries all have candles inside, and line the track. During the ceremony, we all remember the loved ones we have lost, those who have beat cancer. Throughout this ceremony, the heart of Relay does come out. I have never felt more connected with a group of people (who quite frankly, I did not know the majority of the people at the event) and we were all united in our efforts to work for the cure.

All in all, Relay needs your help too. I would encourage any student to join. There is no “magical” number you need to fundraise, and you truly can choose how you want to get involved as a member of the club. Every single cent donated to the cause works toward the ultimate goal of the cure, no amount too small or insignificant. For me, Relay has taught me that I can make a difference. It’s easy to feel like you blend in in college; seeing people doing all of these amazing things around you can make you feel somewhat small. With Relay, I feel like I am doing something to contribute to thousands of people, and I feel that I am fighting back for my loved ones who lost their lives to cancer. I feel like I am fighting for my grandpas, so one day girls like me can have both of their grandpas dancing with them at their weddings, living long and happy, cancer-free lives.

With Relay, we really are all in this together. We are united in the fact that we want to celebrate, remember, and fight back. Together, we truly can make a difference, and it takes each and every one of us to do so. Joining Relay For Life is one of the most rewarding, and beneficial things I have ever done, and I encourage every single person who comes across this article to get involved in any way you can. In the end, cancer sucks, and if we all work together we can beat it once and for all.