Students 'Outwit, Outplay, Outlast,' at Relay

by: Jennifer Basch

The Lycoming College chapter of Colleges Against Cancer hosted its seventh annual Relay for Life in the Recreation Center to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The Colleges Against Cancer relay at Lycoming College raised $26,000 for the American Cancer Society, surpassing its goal by $7,500.

The relay took place in the Recreation Center on March from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on March 25 and 26.

Ashley Lubold, president of Colleges Against Cancer, has been involved in Relay for Life since she was a student in sixth grade.

“I’m fighting for a cure because my mom died of cancer and it is closure to me knowing that I can give back to the organization,” Lubold said.

This year’s theme was “survivor around the world,” which was based off of the CBS television show “Survivor.”

Luminaries lit the inside lane of the track, representing remembrance of those who lost their battle with cancer and those who are still fighting against it.

Lubold said, “This was my favorite part of the whole night.”

Just over 20 survivors took their places to walk the first lap, and by doing so, gave the relay its official kick-off.

The cancer survivors also were served a special dinner after the ceremony, bringing them together briefly as a community of survivors.

At least one member of a participating organization or club was to be present on the track at all times.

During the 12-hour event, clubs and organizations sold many snacks, beverages, and toys at decorated tables to help raise money for the cause. Over 350 Lycoming students, faculty and staff participated in the event.

At 7 p.m., hair donating began. An eight-inch ponytail of healthy locks was required in order to donate hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths sponsors the making of hair wigs for cancer patients who lost their own hair in chemotherapy. A few people even gave spur-of-the-moment hair donations, in exchange for the present supporters donating $100 to the cause.

“We started out with eight volunteers but by the end of the night we had 53 total,” Lubold reported.

Throughout the empowering event, live music, dancing, and fun games were included.
An extra special effort was made by the Lycoming College cross country team and a couple of their close friends. Their fundraiser, Relay at Relay: Miles for Mammaries, raised almost an additional $100 for the cause. Starting at 6 p.m. Friday, each member of the team ran one mile, switching runners at the end of each mile. This continued until 6 a.m. Saturday, when the team had run a total of 105 miles.

Kerri Kearney, a member of the team was eager to comment, “We are just glad to be here together as a team to support a great cause, and we’re excited that we can show our support by doing what we love – running.”

Kearney added, “Some of the people with us right now are not even members of the team and spontaneously jumped in with us. All the better! It is great to know that people are willing to work themselves to support others.”

In the future, Lubold plans to work with State and National levels of Relay for Life. In addition to that, she wants to work with Relay for Life in her own community, keeping the cause close to home.

“I would like to thank Lycoming College for allowing us to have the relay, we ended on a nice note. My sister, Alison, was also a huge help as well,” Lubold said. “I would also like to thank Ashley Newcomb and Kaleigh Misner, for they are the new leaders next year.”

Lycoming’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer was formed at Lycoming in 2004 by Lindsay Martin, a Class of 2007 Lycoming graduate.