Friday, April 10, 2009

RELAY FOR LIFE COMES TO BROWARD COLLEGE



By Vanessa Chang
Staff Writer

There was heavy cloud cover for a large part of the day on March 27 but that couldn’t keep the American Cancer Society from encoring Relay for Life at South Campus this year.

The Opening Ceremony began at 2 p.m. and it would set the tone for the upcoming 18 hours of reflections, unity and community service that would take place.

The relay was setup on the out skirts of the lake located directly in front of the campus. Surrounding its perimeter were individual luminarias (which were filled with sand and lit during the ceremony) that represented those who have lost the battle to cancer, those still fighting and those who have survived.




This year a there was a twist that would create a special ambience on the lake; a floating message that would light up when the Luminaria Ceremony would begin. The message was the word “hope.”

Teresa Justice, Dean of Academic Resources and Instructional Technology on South Campus said, “American Cancer Society approached me about having a relay.”

Why South Campus? From what Justice could recall, when the representatives from the American Cancer Society saw the lake they thought it would be a great venue. “I agreed,” said Justice.

As the afternoon set sail, students from North, South, Central and Downtown campuses all came together to participate and support their teams.


Alpha Delta Rho held games in the afternoon for the children that came out to support with their parents. Susan Wong, an Alpha Delta Rho member said, “Great event, so many involved.”
In addition to raising over $390, Alpha Delta Rho also decorated the luncheon that was held in the Breeze Way Café for the cancer survivors and their care takers.

Many other school organizations were involved such as Student Life, The American West Indies Club, Student Government Association and Phi Theta Kappa.

Jonathan Stern, a returning student to Broward College said, “I wished for a better turnout.” Yet, overall he said he was there for support and the experience.

Unfortunately, the time was limited this year to have dedicated planning admitted Cindy Denkhoff, a 12 year active Relay for Life supporter/event organizer and Senior Executive Assistant of Information Technology. She said that due to changes being made at the college, only about a month’s time was allotted for planning and organizing.

Samuel Feliciano a current student at South Campus knew exactly why he was there. “I’m here to promote cancer awareness,” he said.

DJ Gary Allen, who voluntarily offered his time after the DJ who was first booked was unable to attend, kept the sound going from 2 to 10 p.m.

There was even a live performance by Community Coalition, a choir group who brought Relay for Life a spiritual brand of entertainment.

While some students mingled and enjoyed the entertainment, others were on a mission to fulfill the true meaning of the Relay and to execute their18 hours of awareness. Cancer never sleeps and as it got later into the night the volunteers kept on relaying.

At midnight a movie screen was placed near the lake and the volunteers enjoyed a movie underneath the stars.

As for the fundraising, well that has just begun. Last year the college raised about $12,000 and this year it is hoping to raise more.

If you are interested in donating, please go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=13262 and choose which team you would like to make a donation towards.

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