Relay for Life wages (Penny) Wars

Grab on to your pennies and hold on to your change, the Relay for Life at the University at Albany is right around the corner.

Relay for Life, an annual national event dedicated to raising money in the research of cancer treatment, is coming to UAlbany on March 20. This year, students can get involved in a number of upcoming events to help raise money before the main relay.

In an effort to get the quads involved, Penny Wars week, from March 1-5, puts quads in a competing stance in donating the most pennies. 

“Quads go against each other in order to be served dinner first at Relay. Pennies are positive points (so they’re encouraged to put pennies in their own quads or apartments) and anything silver or dollars are negative points,” Andrea Rickard, team recruitment chair, said. 

Students are encouraged to register online at www.relayforlife.com/ualbany before March 4 when the registration fee increases from $10 to $20. A free t-shirt will be given out to those who register on time.

Pancakes Break fundraiser will be held on March 7. Students will be able to buy a $5 certificate from the Campus Center and enjoy a pancake meal from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Applebee’s in Latham. 

Paint Your Campus Purple week from March 8-12 is in sync with Colon Cancer awareness week and provides a fun way for students to get involved. Students are encouraged to paint things on their campus purple, including windows, furniture and even toilets.  This is the week where students are encouraged to wear purple.

The main relay, which will run from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m., will include lots of entertainment including dance parties, games, and entertainers. Students are not required to stay the entire time and may leave early if they wish to. 

Students can attend the fourth planning meeting on March 10 at 8:45 p.m. in BA 212. The goal for this year is to raise $105,000. Last year it stood at $95,000.

Over the past five years that Relay for Life has been involved on campus, there has been over $375,000 raised by students and the money has gone to the American Cancer Society for cancer research.

“Last year’s event was the largest student-run event on campus. Every student group on campus comes together for this cause,” Relay for Life UAlbany publicity chair Meg Ciccone said.

Each year, Relay for Life deals with different themes that participants may get involved in. This year’s theme is Super Heroes.

The luminaria event is also one way for students to get involved and remember someone who has had cancer.

“As the sun sets over campsites and darkness falls, the night is brightened by the glow of illuminated bags called luminaria, each bearing the name of someone who has battled cancer. Some celebrate cancer survivors, while others help us honor and remember those gone too soon,” according to the Relay for Life Web site.

“Everyone has been affected by cancer and even if you don’t have it, there are many people on this campus who are,” Andrea Rickard said. “That’s why students should get involved.”