Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

On Saturday, March 27, Loyola held its annual Relay for Life event dedicated to the fight against cancer. Relay for Life is a nationwide event organized by the American Cancer Society to raise money towards finding a cure for cancer. Every year, Loyola students and staff, along with members of the Baltimore community, gather in Reitz Arena and McGuire Hall from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to take a stand against a disease that has effected many in one way or another. Participants can aid in the cause by walking laps around the gym in support of cancer victims and survivors, purchasing baked goods, participating in various interactive activities such as sumo wrestling, and much more. The event also includes live performances by local bands and free food throughout the night. This is Loyola’s 11th year participating in the event, and Loyola is already responsible for raising the most money in the South Atlantic Division per capita.

Loyola students participate in Relay for different reasons, but you will find that cancer has affected the majority of its 150-committee members in a very personal way. Senior and fourth-year Relay committee member Taylor Aglio says that cancer affected her when a close family member and recently a close family friend died from cancer. She relays “for everyone else who can’t.” In addition, senior and former Relay committee chair Kat Kienle said she participates in relay because she has six close family members who have had or are currently battling cancer. She has also lost and uncle and a close friend to the disease. She say srelay is her way of fighting back against something she would otherwise have no control over. While the entire event is dedicated to cancer victims and their families and friends, the one part that really demonstrates why students get involved with Relay for Life is Luminaria.

Luminaria took place at 9:30 p.m. in Reitz and is a ceremony held in honor all of the people who have lost, won and are currently battling cancer. This year, two sophomore committee members, Alexandra Fulton and Kirsten Schenk, opened the ceremony by giving speeches about their personal encounters with cancer. Both Fulton and Schenk gave emotional testimonies about their fathers passing away from cancer this past fall. Their stories were touching, as many in crowd were moved to tears and reached out to comfort each other. Senior Tish Henderson said that,“Luminaria is always the most emotional time for me at Relay because the testimonies are always so heartbreaking.” The ceremony continued with the lighting of the luminaria lights in dedication to cancer patients. Following the lighting, students made their way around the gym as the Loyola Belles sang their rendition of “Let it Be” by the Beatles. The ceremony was so crowded that this year participants formed two groups, each circling only half the gym rather than the entire gym during the moments of silence. Even with the added space, the crowd was at a standstill for the majority of these laps around the gym that participants made in honor of cancer victims.

It was remarkable to see the number of participants at this year Luminaria ceremony. Kienle said that, “It is beyond empowering for me to see so many individuals from various backgrounds come together despite their differences to battle this common foe.The event is a demonstration of what my generation has the ability to achieve if we truly apply ourselves and our passions.” This year’s event raised roughly $180,000, not including items purchased with Evergreen money, placing Loyola’s Relay commitee ahead of where it was at this time last year with fundraising.

Photo by Jennifer Mdurvwa