Relay for Life to raise cancer awareness

With the campus decked out in purple, cancer survivors and volunteers are gearing up for one of the largest co-ed sleepovers at the Palestra today.

The eighth annual Penn Relay for Life — sponsored by The Daily Pennsylvanian — will take place from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The Relay will feature a Survivors lap and candle-lit Luminaria Ceremony to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The annual event is usually held in Franklin Field but has relocated to the Palestra in anticipation of rain. Last year, with temperatures dipping to 35 degrees, the Relay for Life ended early at 4 a.m.

College senior and event organizer Jessica Bell said this year’s relay is the University’s largest philanthropic event, with more than 1,800 participants and $75,000 raised so far in funds.

For College sophomore Lane Robinson, the relay offers a chance for the community to support lodging houses for cancer victims and for Penn to celebrate the progress that has been made.

Robinson, a pediatric cancer survivor and this year’s Luminaria speaker, will speak alongside her mother, Edrie, a two-time survivor of breast cancer.

“In high school, everyone knew I had cancer since I missed school a lot,” Robinson, a graduate of Detroit Country Day School, said. “Last year, nobody knew. Some people in college thought I was going through weird hair styles.”

More than 20 cancer survivors — most of whom are students — will attend tonight’s event, Engineering senior and Relay for Life organizer Shannon Ridge said.

The event will also feature bake sales and eating contests, as well as pick-up sports and a movie night hosted by Greek organizations.

Luminaria will also highlight speeches by Wharton junior David Nadle — a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor — and Wharton junior Brian Serpico, who will join hundreds of Penn students to walk around the arena.

Last year’s meatball eating contest and pancake breakfast will see a return by popular demand. A silent auction featuring a signed Flyers puck will help generate further funds.

“It’s surprising how many people at Penn are personally affected by cancer, either through a family member or friend,” Bell said. “My own family’s affected as my sister died five years ago. But it’s inspiring to hear students at Penn because sometimes, we lose perspective.”

Among the victims Relay for Life will honor tonight is Penn student Lindsey Goldhagen, who died two years ago from a failed liver transplant.

“There are a lot of great causes at Penn, and we know everyone can’t get involved in all of them,” Bell said. However, Bell and Ridge emphasized that even if students don’t fully support Relay for Life — which everyone does — the food and entertainment are more than worth the $12 entrance fee.

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