Despite stormy skies above, participants of Ohio University's Relay for Life 2010 Coloring the Campus Cured donned their multi-hued shirts and walked the track at the Athens County Fairgrounds to stamp out cancer Friday.
This year, OU's Relay, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, raised about $48,000 - $2,000 less than the $50,000 goal, said Hilary Patrick, income development coordinator from the American Cancer Society.
For the second year in a row, Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity, raised the most money and contributed more than $12,100. Rounding out the top three fundraising teams were Student Alumni Board with almost $5,100 and OU College Democrats with more than $3,000, Patrick said.
A total of 69 teams participated in the relay, down from 77 last year, according to a previous article in The Post. In 2009, OU's Relay raised about $54,000.
Those who contributed their time and money to Relay for Life often have a connection with cancer, usually a family member or friend afflicted with the disease, but for one OU student, the link runs a little deeper.
Brittney Riffle, an OU freshman studying English education, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in March of 2009.
The diagnosis was unusual for a 17-year-old, and there was no family history of the disease, Riffle said.
(Cancer) changed everything. I had to leave school with two months left during my senior year. ... I shaved my head
she said.
Riffle has been in remission since July and doctors have told her there is a 90 percent chance the cancer will not return, she said. She was not involved in Relay for Life until August 2009 when she walked the survivors' lap at another Relay event, she said.
People think that when they donate they don't see where their money goes. But when they meet a survivor they see that their contribution actually works
she said.
Holly Storrow, a member of relay team Bobcats Against Cancer, walked in the relay to support her loved ones.
My grandma passed away from cancer in 2006
so I do this for her and my grandpa who currently has bone cancer. It might be too late for them
but it's not too late for somebody else's grandparents
said Storrow, an OU freshman studying journalism.
On Friday, luminaries that commemorate cancer survivors and those who lost their battles with the disease spelled out HOPE. Saturday morning the luminaries spelled CURE
showcasing the mission of Relay for Life.
Like it was spelled out
(Relay) really does give people hope
Riffle said.
Rachel Snively contributed to this article.
el246506@ohiou.edu
