The event was held at the Cook Carillon plaza. The track was surrounded by hundreds of luminaries in memory of friends and family members who battled cancer. More than 600 people began the evening in the Grand River Room. The audience, comprised of mostly college students, but also several cancer survivors, heard stories from one of their peers who survived cancer as a child, a 12 year old boy in the midst of struggling with the disease, and the history and importance of the Relay For Life.
"With the lighting from the luminaries, the stage, and all the Christmas lights students have used to decorate the trees, it truly is a beautiful sight. I've had many visitors comment on what a great event. We should certainly be proud of our students who have coordinated and implemented such a wonderful program," said LeaAnn Tibbe, special events coordinator for the Student Life office.
The event was sponsored by the Cancer Awareness Resistance and Education club. CARE is a student led organization that works together to help inform students on ways to eliminate cancer, save lives, diminish suffering from the disease, and to provide a fun way to raise money for the cancer fighting cause. Teams are formed to raise money for the American Cancer Society and on the day of the Relay for Life, all the funds are turned in and the event becomes a 12-hour party and memorial.
