Relay for Life advocates for breast cancer awareness | Culture | breezejmu.org

Nov 01, 2024

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Featured at Relay for Life was a pickleball tournament as well as many other physical activity events. The organization also hosted arts and crafts events and game days.

The Relay for Life is a yearly global movement that raises funds for people with cancer.

October, breast cancer awareness month, Dukes rolled to support JMU’s Relay for Life by wearing pink and participating in the organization’s competitive games.

Relay for Life is a student-run, year-long fundraiser that benefits the American Cancer Society. While its main event — a relay, per its name — occurs every spring, JMU’s Relay for Life organization hosted several events throughout October to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. This past week, Relay for Life hosted events ranging from baking to arts and crafts and exercising.

“The executive board works on this all year — bands, dance groups, games, we book a stage, music, sounds, other people set up the stage, different community service organizations set up around 4 p.m.,” senior health services administration major and Relay for Life Executive Director Juliana Southall said.

One event the organization held was Dial for Donuts, during which participants received a free donut if they reminded a loved one to get a mammogram, junior biology major and Cancer Education Chair Izzy Evans said.

Other events include Bra Pong — a game during which ping pong balls are bounced into bras — and a bake sale at Warner Commons.

Evans said the week’s events featured flyers and posters with breast cancer statistics and strategies from the American Cancer Society for helping those battling breast cancer or survivors.

Junior public relations major and Fundraising and Event Chair John Malanga said that the organization spreads word about its events through social media. He added that for each event, about two to three people were in charge every hour, and 12 to 16 students were organizing the events daily.

Aside from raising awareness, Relay for Life hosts team-bonding activities internally to connect members and help them learn about themselves.

“Being in this club has helped me work with others, do public speaking, helped me resolve issues [and] be there for many people,” Southall said. “The Luminaria Lighting Main Ceremony is an emotional time where ones who have passed [are] honored.

This is a time where people connect with others and grieve together. This summer, I got to go to an American Cancer Society and got to work and network with others associated with the organization.”

Southall said skills learned in this club can be used outside of college, such as empathy, time management and a knowledge of cancer.

“It’s a good way for everyone to come together, raise money and be there for each other through life’s large and small challenges,” Southall said. “Lasting friendships could be made in the club as well.”

All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society, which funds research and a 24/7 hotline that raises awareness about cancer, Southall said.

“I always remember doing the Relay for Life [in] high school, and when I got to college, I always wanted to join,” Malanga said. “It’s the top group nationally. The Relay has impacted people in the club, our executive board and many students at JMU.”

Starting with this past week’s activities, Malanga said Relay for Life hopes to teach Dukes about breast cancer.

“Through these many events, we hoped to educate students at JMU about Breast Cancer and how they can not only get regularly screened, but also contributing factors that could lower their risk of developing breast cancer,” Evans said.

Contact Avajosephine D’Angelo at [email protected]. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and Instagram @BreezeJMU.

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