Make the choice to Relay this weekend

Relay For Life is this weekend. From 6 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday, an estimated 1,800 students, faculty, staff and community members will join together on Francis Field for a night of celebrating, remembering and fighting back against cancer.

Will you be there?

As Friday’s edition of Student Life highlighted, Mardi Gras is also this Saturday. This coincidence and the annual date selection of Relay is out of our control, but we do not see it as a conflict. Mardi Gras is a daytime event, ending in the afternoon. Relay For Life is an overnight event, beginning in the evening. If you so choose, you can do both.

However, if deciding between one or the other, we strongly encourage you to choose Relay For Life. Relay For Life is one of the most meaningful events you will participate in during your time here at Washington University. Cancer affects us all. You may be the son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, student, friend or co-worker of someone who has survived or been lost to cancer. You may be an incredible survivor yourself. If you are lucky, you may not fit into one of these categories, but at the very least, you have friends who do. Relay For Life is a time for the Wash. U. community to unite in solidarity against this terrible disease, to support each other and share our personal struggles, and to find the united strength to combat cancer.

And it’s also a lot of fun. At Relay, you can catch performances by WU Sauce, Raas and WU-SLam; do Zumba and Piloxing (pilates + boxing—it’s all the rage in Hollywood!); get a massage; play Relay games throughout the night to win a bowling party; stay up with your friends and floormates; and eat FREE Chipotle, pizza and other goodies.

Wash. U.’s Relay For Life is currently the #1 ranked collegiate Relay in the nation. We have surpassed powerhouse schools with 7 to 10 times our population, such as the University of Georgia and Virginia Tech. We have already raised more than $180,000 for the American Cancer Society, and we know that thanks to the support and donations of people on this campus and around the nation, this number will only keep rising.

These numbers and rankings represent more than pride. They are a testament to the enthusiasm and energy that the Wash. U. student body has contributed to Relay For Life. All of the hard work, personal stories and excitement will culminate at the event this Saturday. You will be uplifted, humbled, saddened and empowered throughout the night. Most of all, you will be glad that you made the choice to attend Relay For Life.

We look forward to seeing you this Saturday. If you are not yet registered for a team, you can still sign up at relay.wustl.edu. You can also attend as a visitor for a $10 donation at the door. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at [email protected]

See you at Relay!