By Chris Evans
This was not your typical college all nighter. The Smith Center hosted 53 teams Saturday into Sunday morning for GW’s Relay For Life. Around 900 participants walked, played games, and celebrated life while raising money to fight cancer.
Students from many of GW’s student organizations took turns walking laps around the Smith Center for a full 24 hours.
“The reason it goes all night is because cancer never sleeps,” said Chelsea Brewer, one of the event’s organizers.
The combined all-night effort raised around 60,000 dollars. Still, this is not the only goal of the event.
“It is not all about raising money, but creating awareness too,” said participant Milan Gary.
When not walking, participants enjoyed tie dying and playing games including tug-of-war.
Taking the time to raise money and participate in Relay means a whole lot more than a fun night with friends. It hits home for a lot of participants including organizer William Hanna.
“Relay is important because my grandmother battled cancer three times. It was hard to see someone that strong endure so much,” Hanna said.
It is for this reason the community comes together in pajamas and wrapped up in blankets. To many, it’s all about the community.
“The most profound thing about Relay For Life is how as a community we come together and walk around this track all for one cause,” said Gary.
Relay For Life began when Washington State resident, Dr. Gordy Klatt, raised 27,000 dollars running around a track for 24 hours. Today, the event occurs in all 50 states and throughout the world.
This year’s event coincided with GW Buzz, an event that gave GW students the opportunity to raise money for fighting cancer by cutting or buzzing their hair. Both students and members of the Foggy Bottom community joined in by both donating and sitting for a buzz or cut.
Together, the two events raised over 70,000 dollars.
Sara Schaeffer contributed to this article.
This was not your typical college all nighter. The Smith Center hosted 53 teams Saturday into Sunday morning for GW’s Relay For Life. Around 900 participants walked, played games, and celebrated life while raising money to fight cancer.
Students from many of GW’s student organizations took turns walking laps around the Smith Center for a full 24 hours.
“The reason it goes all night is because cancer never sleeps,” said Chelsea Brewer, one of the event’s organizers.
The combined all-night effort raised around 60,000 dollars. Still, this is not the only goal of the event.
“It is not all about raising money, but creating awareness too,” said participant Milan Gary.
When not walking, participants enjoyed tie dying and playing games including tug-of-war.
Taking the time to raise money and participate in Relay means a whole lot more than a fun night with friends. It hits home for a lot of participants including organizer William Hanna.
“Relay is important because my grandmother battled cancer three times. It was hard to see someone that strong endure so much,” Hanna said.
It is for this reason the community comes together in pajamas and wrapped up in blankets. To many, it’s all about the community.
“The most profound thing about Relay For Life is how as a community we come together and walk around this track all for one cause,” said Gary.
Relay For Life began when Washington State resident, Dr. Gordy Klatt, raised 27,000 dollars running around a track for 24 hours. Today, the event occurs in all 50 states and throughout the world.
This year’s event coincided with GW Buzz, an event that gave GW students the opportunity to raise money for fighting cancer by cutting or buzzing their hair. Both students and members of the Foggy Bottom community joined in by both donating and sitting for a buzz or cut.
Together, the two events raised over 70,000 dollars.
Sara Schaeffer contributed to this article.
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
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