Relay For Life of UNI 2009

Fri April 17th 6:00pm –Sat April 18th6:00am

UNI DomeCedar Falls, IA

What do you think of when you think of 1985? Some of you may remember what was happening that year, while others of you may not have been born yet. When we think of 1985, we remember the birth of Relay For Life; that makes this the 25th year of Relay. The Relay For Life of UNI is hosted by UNI’s Colleges Against Cancer(CAC) chapter and both are sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The CAC program allows college students, faculty, and staff to work together to bring American Cancer Society programs and services to college communities nationwide.

This packet includes almost everything you may want to know about this year’s Relay for Life as well as some additional information about UNI’s CAC events. Please read, share with your teammates and email us with any questions. Also, check out our website at

Thank you for you commitment and contributions!!!

Alissa Jewell Co-PresidentEmily Link Co-President

319.461.4775563.543.0473

About Relay For Life

WHAT: The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life is a unique celebration of life in honor and inmemory of those whose lives have been touched by cancer. It has been described as a "huge compassionate support group"- a place where friends, family, and loved ones join to celebrate survivorship and to honor those who have lost the battle. Relay For Life involvesteams of 8-15 people who take turns walking or running around the UNI Dome all night long. A party-like atmosphere prevails as team members camp out for the duration of the event to enjoy music, food, fun, entertainment, and activities while building camaraderie with fellow teammates and participants. Money is raised through team donations secured from family, friends, companies, and corporations.

WHY: It will be a night of fun celebrating “HOPE” with more than 1,000 fellow college students. Also, the money we raise helps support programs of the American Cancer Society such as research, education, advocacy, and service-locally, statewide, and nationally.

WHO:Everyone is welcome! Athletes and non-athletes join teams of individualsrepresenting clubs, corporations, organizations, neighborhoods, and families at this fun, community oriented event.

BENEFITS: Great community exposure. An opportunity to be a community leader. A terrific group
outing. Raise money for a good cause. Pride in knowing you are doing your part to fight cancer. It will also be a night your friends, family, and yourself will remember for a lifetime!

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Relay For Life brings together more than 3.5 million people around the world every year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower individuals and committees to fight back against a disease that takes too much from too many.This year’s Relay For Life at the UNI Dome will host three ceremonies that represent the core purpose of this event:

Celebratethe lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.

Rememberloved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside those battling cancer can grieve and find healing.

Fight Back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease. Make a commitment to save lives by taking up the fight.

Logistics:

  • Entrance: NE Tunnel Entrance (Lower NE corner of the UNI Dome)
  • NO food, drinks(water is fine) or gum on the dome floor
  • Coolers are welcome, but they have to stay in the bleachers
  • Parking: lots north of the Dome and the WRC on both sides of Hudson (free parking after 4:00pm) handicapped parking available on the west side of the WRC and north of the Dome
  • Limited wheelchairs will be available for those who need them

Dome 55

Back in 1985 a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington who had seen too much suffering and too many loved ones lose their fights to cancer decided he was going to fight back.

Dr. Gordy Klatt decided to walk/jog laps around a track. Friends would donate $25 to join him for 30 minutes. After 24 hours, after 83 miles, he raised $27,000. What he could not have known is that he was starting a worldwide movement that now 25 years later involves 3.5million people in 20 countries around the globe, who believe the same thing that he does—that hope in action can save lives.

Because so may want to do their part to eliminate cancer we come together every year at Relay for Life. Together we continue to walk in the footsteps of one man, and every step brings us closer to the day when no one has to hear the words “you have cancer.”

To follow in Dr. Klatt’s footstepson April 17 around 11 a.m.I will start out from near Shellsburg and run to the Dome, 54 miles. (My 54th b-day is the next week + it needs to be more than last year's 50.)
The route will head northwest and go through Vinton, Mt Auburn and Gilbertville. I also am fully aware that the weather in mid-April can be absolutely horrendous, rain and sleet,etc but that hopefully will make it an easier sale to raise money. My thought is that anyone with cancer would trade places with me in a second if they were given this proposal...

"cover 54 miles on foot(regardless of theweather) and when you get in the shower that night youwill becancer-free."
I wouldliketo have teams from both LinnCounty and UNI 'sponsor" this run. By sponsor I mean they would be the support team/Aid stationevery3 miles. The first1/2 could be Linn County teams and the 2nd 1/2 UNI teamsThis would require17 teams total to each take one station, #18 would be in the dome. No one would have a long time commitment and my progress could be tracked by cell phone so teams would know when they need to be in place. They can wait in a car if the weather is bad. I willwear a running belt that holds bottles, etc but I will need food and beverage refills a number of times. I also would love to have some join me for any distance along the route. The pace will not be too fast for most runners.

Another component could be that teams “adopt a mile”. Similar to the luminaria idea team members designate all those they are honoring/remembering. Each team’s list could be posted on the website for several weeks leading up to the event and their fund-raising would be posted with it. A poster could also be in the dome at the event.