Relay for Life

Pulling an “all-nighter” for college never seems to be fun, until doing so to participate in the annual Relay for Life at Gustavus Adolphus College. Complete with live bands, food, and comedy routines, campus community members come together to help in the fight against cancer. Whether running, walking, or just taking in the atmosphere, students and some others work together to raise money for a good cause — the American Cancer Society.

Now in its third year, Relay for Life at Gustavus began in 2004. Piloting the endeavor were six Gustavus students, led by then Gustavus sophomore Gina Quiram of St. Peter. Quiram recently told The Gustavian Weekly student newspaper, “Sometimes it’s really difficult to start an event like this, especially at colleges, but that first year went far better than we ever could have imagined. There was so much energy. People had team themes. There were bands, games, free food, and powerful speakers.”

This year’s event was held Friday, April 28 and included an opening ceremony, a luminary ceremony, and much more. In 2005 nearly 400 Gustavus students participated in the campus Relay for Life and the event raised more than $39,000. This year’s total exceeded the $50,000 mark, which earned recognition as the second highest total in the nation—first in the midwest—for institutions with a student enrollment of 2,500—4,999. For more information, e-mail Relay4life@gustavus.edu.

The event at Gustavus is one of two local Relays for Life, a signature activity of the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.