The stairs leading up to McGuire Hall were lined with footprints and white paper bags, with the names of people who have been affected by cancer in some way, including both survivors and those who have passed away from the disease.
Loyola’s Relay for Life event took place on April 6. While there was no actual run, there were games and various activities, all raising money for cancer and spreading awareness about the disease.
Relay for Life is a fundraising event that is a part of The American Cancer Society. The event takes place in more than 20 countries around the world, spreading awareness and raising money with hopes of one day finding a cure for cancer. Julia La Sala ‘25, one of the event co-chairs, was personally impacted by cancer.
“I lost one of my closest friends back in 2016 so that kind of started my inspiration for cancer and cancer research, with hopes to put an end to the fight. So, I continue to relay for all the people who have been affected by cancer,” La Sala said.
Walking into this event, there were LED lights of all different colors and pop music. The event kicked off with a speech where each of the co-chairs contributed something about the event, followed by the ‘survivors lap’ which is something that the event is known for doing every year. The survivor’s lap is where cancer survivors who are present at the event gather, holding a poster and walking a lap together in solidarity. After this, all are welcome to join in a lap around.
There are many different positions that help make the Relay for Life event a possibility every year, such as sponsorships, a responsibility of sponsorship co-chair Emily Mozgai ‘24.
“I love it because you just reach out to businesses small and large, a lot of Baltimore-based ones, and we ask them if they want to sponsor an event or if they want to donate anything monetary. So, I would say connecting with businesses is the main thing we do on this part of the committee,” Mozgai said.
The event lasted from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. There were a variety of activities to participate in including raffles, three-legged races, and a mock ‘jail’ where people would pay to put someone into the jail, and to get them out you would have to match the same amount that someone gave to put them in. People of all ages are welcome to attend.
Lauren Quinn ‘25, the event chair for Relay for Life, shared more as to what the event is all about while making a personal reflection.
“Loyola Relay for Life is a nationwide, top campus event. We were number nine in the country last year and raised over $70,000 for the American Cancer Society. My mom is also a cancer survivor and will soon be five years in remission which is awesome, and really all our members here in Relay have been touched or affected by this disease that we are trying so hard to conquer,” Quinn said.
This year, the event alone raised $71,943. Relay for Life meets on Tuesdays in the basement of Knott Hall. The meetings start at 8 p.m. and typically last around 30 minutes. The club is always looking for new members, all are encouraged and welcome to attend.
