The Triangle

Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Olivia Garrity

A Relay For Life kick-off event was held Feb. 4 both to allow teams and individuals to sign up and to get students motivated for the 12-hour event in April to raise cancer awareness, according to Ryan Wheeler, co-chair for Relay for Life.

"We're encouraging teams to do their own fundraisers and keep on top of them," Wheeler said. "We don't want money from students. We want money from their networks."

At the event, Carly Chizik from the American Cancer Society spoke to students about Relay's mission and the international recognition it has received. Also, Lauren Wetzel, a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, spoke about her experience as a caregiver to her mother with cancer.

At Drexel, there are currently 26 registered teams, 114 participants and over $5,000 raised so far, according to the Drexel Relay web site. The goal for the event is to raise $75,000 and to have 60 teams compete.

"We'd like to keep increasing our goal and compete with Penn," Wheeler said.

The University of Pennsylvania, in its sixth year of participation in Relay, has a goal of $225,000, according to Wheeler. He also added that Drexel University, in its third year, has a higher percentage growth-rate with fund-raising donations so far.

The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity heads Relay for Life at Drexel. Wheeler said that in previous years, the majority of involvement came from Greek Life.

"We're trying to still have [Pi Kappa Alpha] run it, but branch out more to Drexel and other organizations, not just Greek Life," Mike Ruggieri, president of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, said.

Ruggieri also said he wants all brothers to participate and set individual personal goals of $100.

Relay For Life started in 1985 when Gordy Klatt, the founder of Relay for Life, ran around a track for 24 hours to promote cancer awareness. The event focuses on education, service and advocacy.

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