After months of planning, seniors
Angela “Angie” DeSilva and Emily Sweeney are ready to launch their dream: “Relay for Life,” a charity cancer event that may be the largest of its kind ever held in the area.
Relay begins on Friday, May 30, at 7 p.m. and runs through
Saturday, May 31, at 9 a.m.
“We are looking forward to seeing everyone's effort come together the day of the event,” Sweeney said. “We have been fortunate to have a great group of volunteers helping us every step of the way and our committees have done an outstanding job. It has really been a team effort to get this event under way and we are so grateful for all the help we have received.”
“It has been a really inspiring and uplifting experience organizing Union's first ever Relay For Life,” added DeSilva. “Unity is the first and
most crucial step in the fight against cancer, and it has been a very rewarding to watch Union College join together in an attempt to defeat this disease.”
The two women share a common bond in shepherding the
American Cancer Society fundraiser – both experienced the disease's impact on their lives from two very different outcomes. Two years ago, DeSilva's boyfriend, Ryan, died from cancer. Sweeney's mother is
a cancer survivor.
Teams will run or walk the perimeter sidewalks around the Nott Memorial (Library Field). Although the “Relay for Life” has been a perennial ACS fundraiser since 1985, this will be the first one at Union College. Staff and administration will also participate, among them President Roger Hull and Dean of Students Fred Alford.
Nearly 700 participants and 42 teams are registered. The Capital Region chapter of the ACS reports that this is the largest Relay in the area.
Despite her loss, DeSilva feels she is a better person for the experience. She said her boyfriend's death changed her life. Her career path became clear: a dual major (psychology and sociology), she plans on going to grad school to become a counselor to terminally ill children and their parents.
Also out of her grief grew a passion for her ACS fundraising, which may be her most enduring tribute to Ryan's positive attitude and resilient spirit.
There is a $10 registration fee. Teams are comprised of eight to 15 people. The object of the 14-hour event is to have at least one team member walking or running. Each member is also required to raise approximately $100 in donations. While individual team members are walking, other activities will be going on, such as an outdoor movie by West and food tents.
At 9 p.m. Friday, a ceremony will honor those fighting cancer and remember those who fought the good fight but lost. Students will be invited to speak about their experiences, including two students who are themselves cancer survivors. For $5, people may purchase luminaries, which will encircle the Nott, to honor or memorialize a loved one. At the closing ceremony, the amount raised will announced and participants will be thanked.
Registration is continuous and even last-minute “walk-ins” can sign up at the event. For more information, contact Angie DeSilva at desilvaa@union.edu or Emily
Sweeney at sweeneye@union.edu