By Angelina Dinota
Staff Reporter
On March 28, students gathered in the University Commons for Strike Out Cancer, a fundraising event for the Sacred Heart chapter of Relay for Life.
“Strike Out Cancer is an event where students get to bowl for a half hour with their friends,” said Katherine Seckler, senior and Relay for Life president.
“We have an outside company coming in that brings the bowling lanes. Participants signed up during table times.”
Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society.
According to the organization’s website, “team members take turns walking around a track or designated path. Each event is 6-24 hours in length, and each team is asked to have a member on the track at all times to signify that cancer never sleeps.”
Seckler and co-president Erica Heins oversee Relay for Life’s five committees: survivorship, entertainment and actives, community outreach, marketing and advertising and mission. Both have been members of the club since their freshman year.
“I attended one of the meetings because I was looking to get more involved on campus and it was a more than worthy cause,” said Heins. “After a year of helping out as a general member, I was asked to take on the role of co-president.”
“Back home I was part of an overnight event with Relay for Life,” said junior Trevor O’Brien. “Considering that was 10 years ago, it is really incredible to see how much this organization has evolved, both in its fundraising and its ability to raise awareness.”
At Strike Out for Cancer, groups of three to five students paid $15 for their turn on the lanes.
“It’s nice that this is just such an easy and enjoyable way to raise money for such a great cause,” said sophomore Anthony Smith. “Everyone knows someone that has been affected by cancer.”
“I love that Relay comes up with unique ways to fundraise for such an amazing cause,” said sophomore Erin Redersheid. “For someone that has a family member that has been affected by cancer, it is amazing to see the SHU community caring about such a prominent cause.”
With 12.7 million people around the world diagnosed with cancer each year, many students feel personally connected with the cause.
“This matters because every single person has been affected by cancer in some way, shape or form,” said Seckler. “The money we raise does make a difference and I do all this fundraising because I want to leave this world one day knowing there is a cure to cancer and I had some way of helping that happen.”
“Relay for Life is a fundraiser that is put on once a year to raise money for people with cancer, as well as honoring those who lost their battle with cancer,” said Heins.
“It is for all of those in our lives who were touched by cancer, and everyone from the Sacred Heart community is more than welcome to attend. There is music, dancing, performances and games.”
“The theme is decades this year. The event is a lot of fun because we have different games, raffle prizes and ceremonies to honor those who have won and lost their battles with cancer,” said Seckler.
Sacred Heart’s Relay for Life event will take place on April 21 in the William H. Pitt Center.
