hree cancer survivors clad in bright purple T-shirts circled the makeshift track between Lillis Business Complex and the Knight Library arm-in-arm, completing their first lap of the University’s 12-hour-long Relay for Life. Behind them 22 teams followed, including fraternity and sorority members, residence hall students, the pre-med society Asklepiads, families and individual entrants.
Cool, cloudy skies threatened Saturday, along with an impending dead week for University students. That didn’t detour more than 250 participants who came to the American Cancer Society event to celebrate survivors, remember those lost, and fight the disease by raising money for cancer research, programs and advocacy.
“It’s daunting to think about what you have to get done ahead of time, but the feeling you have at the end is worth it,” said University student Kelly Pavey, a member of the Moore Hall team. “It gets monotonous to hang out in the dorms, but here we become closer over service.”
Relay attendees, many of whom dressed up for themed hours such as ’90s and Hawaiian, lapped the “track” and danced to a DJ’s music. They also played games on the lawn, listened to guest speakers, and watched a UO Jam Squad performance.
Pavey and 10 of her hallmates created tie-dyed T-shirts for the event that read “fighting cancer one color at a time.” The group hung colorful beaded necklaces from their shade tent with plastic forks and spoons to represent the different types of cancer people battle.
Among the cancer-surviving trio who kicked off the event was a 4-year-old, Bea Walton; a college student, John Robinson; and a mother, Cheryl Elgin.
“You have to be proactive about your health,” said Elgin, 52. “You think you’re invincible at 20, but there are some young people here, like John, who will tell you that’s not quite true.”
Despite getting regular mammograms and being conscious of her health, nutrition and stress level, Elgin was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. The cancer had gone undetected for nearly seven years. After nine months of treatment, Elgin went into remission with a positive prognosis.
“You figure out how many people love you and want to help. This is what it’s all about,” said Elgin as she hugged her daughter Hilary, a University sophomore and the Relay survivorship chair. “You’re scared into really living your life. You don’t get many second chances.”
The festival-like ambiance of the Relay took a more poignant turn after the sunset. White paper bags marked with the names of cancer victims and survivors and filled with candles illuminated the quad. The neatly lined up lights spelled out “cure” and “hope” on two facing staircases.
“The luminaria is a chance for us to recognize,” said Audrey Chrisler, a University sophomore and Relay committee member. “It’s a powerful part of the relay – looking at the past and moving on toward the future.”
Relay For Life raised more than two-thirds of its $15,000 goal, said event co-chair Rachel Coussens. She and other committee members anticipate receiving more donations during the coming weeks. The University Relay money will contribute to the larger Eugene/Springfield event that will take place this summer.
“Being here makes me think about strength,” said Hilary Elgin. “Seeing my mom go through chemo made me want to be a stronger person – to look more on the brighter side.”