More than 2,000 students participated in the 15th annual UGA Relay for Life overnight from April 4-5. The night culminated with the announcement that the student fundraising teams had raised a total of $202,568.27 toward this year’s campaign. The top Greek fundraising team, Pi Beta Phi/Pike, raised more than $22,000 while the top non-Greek team, Team Laura, raised more than $10,000.
UGA’s event is notable for being Relay for Life’s first event organized by, led by and composed entirely of college students. The student group is an affiliate of the Relay for Life that is registered with Student Affairs’ Center for Student Organizations.
Relay for Life is a national nonprofit organization benefiting the American Cancer Society. Local events are held at schools and in communities across the country each spring. Participants walk around tracks, play games, enjoy music and food and recognize and celebrate individuals and families touched by cancer.
Notable features of most Relay for Life events are a Survivors Lap in which survivors celebrate their victories over cancer while participants congratulate them, a Luminaria Ceremony where candles are lit in honor of those lost to cancer and in support of individuals whose fights continue and a Fight Back Ceremony, which inspires participants to take action.
