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Relay for Life to be held on St. Olaf campus

By Anna Stevens '10
April 25, 2007

St. Olaf students will join with the Northfield community on May 4 to raise money for cancer research by partaking in a nationwide Relay for Life. The relay will be held on the Manitou Field track from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and focus on acknowledging cancer survivors and remembering those who have died from the disease.

St. Olaf Cancer Connection (SCC), the student organization that coordinates Relay for Life each year, will be sponsoring their 4th annual relay. "It makes you realize there are people out there dealing with cancer in their daily lives," says Anna Dutke '08 of her involvement with SCC and Relay for Life. Having served on two different SCC committees in the past, Dutke says that her experiences with the relay and personal interactions with those affected by cancer have made her passionate about helping raise research funding.

During the opening ceremony Jocelyn Stenberg '92, the honorary chairperson for the 2007 St. Olaf Relay for Life, will speak about her experience as a cancer survivor. "The Relay for Life is filled with an amazing human spirit that I've never experienced elsewhere," Stenberg says. "It's also an opportunity to create cancer awareness and hope for the future."

CELEBRATION AND REMEMBERANCE
The event will include two ceremonies: one to celebrate survivors present, including St. Olaf alumni, Northfield community members and family and friends of St. Olaf students, and the second to remember those who have died from cancer. Stenberg describes the second ceremony as "evidence of the overwhelming support and humanity" present at the St. Olaf Relay for Life. Luminaries will be lit at dusk in honor and remembrance of friends and loved ones. Luminaries can be purchased through participants for $10 each to line the track during the ceremony.

Relay teams consist of 8 to 15 people and work together to raise money beyond their registration fee. Entertainment, such as bands and Northfield community dance teams, will be provided. Alumni can get involved by making a monetary donation, a donation for a luminary or a corporate sponsorship, forming a relay team, participating in the opening ceremony survivor lap, entertaining at the event and attending the event. More information is available by e-mailing Stenberg.

The Relay for Life originated in 1986 by Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Wash., and today more than three million Americans participate in the Relay for Life. Dutke describes the relay as a "small thing you can do to make a difference." Last year, St. Olaf raised nearly $58,000 toward cancer research. This year's goal is even more ambitious, wherein runners will attempt to raise $63,000.

"The idea behind the event is to sacrifice one night in order to donate toward a bigger cause," Dutke explains. She says that SCC attempts to organize Relay for life each year with the hope to put together an inspiring event. "Cancer never rests," she says, "why should we?"

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.