The Notre Dame community will begin walking for its first Relay for Life tonight. This event, which raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society, is the organization's most prestigious activity and holds the record as the largest community fundraiser in the world.
The Relay will begin with an opening ceremony today at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude Saturday at 12 p.m.
Teams consisting of dorms, clubs, friend and work groups have been formed to support the Society's efforts.
"Faculty, staff, students and their friends and family are invited to participate. All are invited to come out, even if they are not on a team," said Jessica Brookshire, an officer of the Notre Dame chapter of the American Cancer Society
Those taking part in tonight's relay have secured donations from sponsors in exchange for their participation in the event. For the duration of the relay, one member of the team is required to walk the course at all times.
"Many individuals choose to spend the night and walk not only their shift but with their friends as well," Brookshire said.
The University of Notre Dame has sponsored members of the Notre Dame community in the annual St. Joseph County American Cancer Society's Relay For Life since 1996. This event, generally held in May, had few participants. As a result, the sophomore class and the American Cancer Society Student Group tackled the problem and decided to sponsor a second Relay especially for the Notre Dame community.
Notre Dame has received two American Cancer Society grants, accumulating a total of $1,476,000, for its efforts toward cancer research.
Crislyn D'Suoza-Schorey and Edward Hinchcliffe of the department of biological sciences direct the research. They, along with. Rudy Navari, a medical oncologist faculty member, will address participants at the opening ceremony.
"Everyone [benefits from this Relay]: cancer patients benefit by seeing survivors walking who have beaten their cancer. Family members find the Relay to be a healing process. As a campus community, we are all working together to find a cure," Brookshire said.
