 "Photo: Chris Sloan/Poly Post")
Nearly 500 students and numerous campus organizations joined the American Cancer Society Saturday to fight cancer and raise more than $10,000 at Relay for Life.
This year’s relay, which was primarily organized by the Colleges Against Cancer club, was he first one planned by Cal Poly volunteers.
“This is great,” said Nathan McCluster, a volunteer and ACS worker. “The community was able to get together to raise funds and educate others on how to prevent cancer and what to do if you get cancer.”
McCluster began volunteering at age 7 when he was diagnosed with Stage IV of Non-Hodgins Burkitts Lymphoma.
He was given three months to live and was put on a clinical research drug that was funded by the American Cancer Society.
Luminarias, an event which symbolizes people who have been affected by cancer – either losing or beating the battle – was the most popular ceremony and had students walking around the quad led by CAC President Kurt Sweitzer.
“The most pertinent story to our involvement was the story of our president, who had battled cancer in his youth,” said Ali Saffari, Relay for Life chair.
According to Saffari, Sweitzer was diagnosed with cancer consisting of two brain tumors and eventually won his battle when he grew older.
“The purpose of [Luminarias] was to just get one minute of someone else’s life who’s been affected by cancer,” said Brian Lozada, a fourth-year political science student.
Kelleen Chea, a fourth-year chemistry student, came to the event as a part of Science Council, went to the auction earlier in the day and said the event was a great way to get the campus together.
Chea is just one student who knows somebody who has been affected by cancer.
“I have a girlfriend who found out she had breast cancer,” said Chea. “It’s sad because you just wouldn’t expect it for someone our age.”
Jessica Gordon, relay fundraising chair and fourth-year animal science student, said her involvement with Relay for Life was in response to her family’s background with cancer.
“My aunt passed away from cancer and that really affected me,” said Gordon. “Actually, the whole reason why I am doing animal science is because I had a dog that died from cancer.”
Gordon said she also wanted to get involved with Bark for Life, which is another fundraiser through ACS and examines cancerous effects for animals.
Saffari said students were likely to come to the event because most people have been affected one way or another and through the obstacles the event was beneficial.
“We were new to the process and weren’t familiar with the new infrastructure, but it worked out,” said Saffari.
The event is just one of nearly 350 statewide initiatives that serve as fundraising for cancer research.
“The fighting back is really the most important part,” said McCluster. “And that’s equally important as the fundraiser.”
Reach Edward Fillinger at news@thepolypost.com
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