Vanderbilt Relay for Life to be held Saturday

Vanderbilt Relay For Life will be held this Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to midnight on Vanderbilt Universitys Alumni Lawn. Relay For Life is the the American Cancer Society (ACS)s signature fundraiser where students take turns to walk around Alumni Lawn to raise money for cancer research.

The ACS donates millions of dollars every year to cancer research at the Vanderbilt Medical Center. This year, the ACS donated $5.5 million to Vanderbilt Medical Center to fund research in cancer treatments and cures.

According to a press release from Vanderbilt Relay For Life, $84,000 was raised at last years relay. To date, they have raised $83,139 for this years relay and hopes to raise $90,000.

ACS uses its funds to provide research grants and programs for prevention, patient support, detection, treatment and the construction and operation of Hope Lodges, facilities in which a cancer patient and a caregiver may stay at while traveling to receive treatment, according to a statement from Vanderbilt Relay for Life.

Beyond the amazing work the ACS does, the organization represents hope for thousands of cancer patients nationwide, as well as their families and friends, said Matthew massman, Relay For Life Co-President. Thats why we relay here on Vanderbilts campus every fall. We want to show our support and let people know that Vanderbilt cares, and that we will make a difference.

This year is Vanderbilt Relay For Lifes eighth year organizing the relay, and it has made several changes to encourage student participation. They have moved the relay from Vanderbilts Wellness and Recreation Center to Alumni Lawn to make it more convenient for students. They also changed the time of the event to 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., rather than 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. The event is twelve-hours long to represent the idea that cancer never sleeps.

708 participants and 56 teams are currently signed up. The event will feature various sports tournaments, a climbing wall, eating competitions, music and dance performances from campus student groups and three local Nashville bands.

There will also be food deliveries every hour from Nashville eateries such as Zoes Kitchen, Jets Pizza, Chuys and Krispy Kreme.

The website to make or join a team, or to donate to Relay For Life is relay.org/vandy.

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Vanderbilt Relay for Life to be held Saturday