On Friday, April 1, 2016, Student Organization, the full-time undergraduate student government, held Relay For Life from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. in Harwood Arena. At the event, participants continued to raise money for the cause (to help end cancer), and—along with attendees—enjoyed viewing performances, activities and a Luminaire Ceremony where people can remember those they have lost due to cancer.

“I relay because I want to do my part to fight against cancer…my cousin has been affected by cancer,” comments Teresa Lleras, who is a senior majoring in graphic design.

Lleras is a part of Kean University Relays Education (K.U.R.E.), and by that night K.U.R.E. already raised over $2,000. K.U.R.E. also gained recognition for being the team who raised the most money.

Kean University Relays Education (K.U.R.E.) at Relay For Life
Jacob Fermaint I The Cougar’s Byte

At Relay For Life, there were plenty of groups and organizations there to support the cause, which includes the Kean Dance Theatre, Ema’s Diamond Dollies, Kean Catholic Newman Club and PSY Organization.

Attendees were able to donate throughout the night and enjoy activities and performances. For example, the team Inspirational Dance from Maplewood came to the event and performed many hip-hop numbers. Students were also able to enjoy games like a life-size foosball, a rock climb wall, as well as carnival games created by the teams at the event. 

By the time night started, organizations, groups and donors (such as Applebee’s, Barnes & Noble and Tropicana) raised over $16,000; but by the end of the night, well over $20,000 was raised.

“I do it to support my family,” comments Adrienne Mezey, who is a junior and majoring in math education and is a part of Bio Tech Club. She continues to say that her aunt was affected by cancer and Relay For Life is a great cause to support.

Cancer affects one in three people and it is a tough disease to defeat. Relay For Life is a movement that helps raise millions of dollars each year for the American Cancer Society to help fight cancer.

“This is an important cause that people should support,” comments Jabriel Roberts, a senior majoring in communications media. He continues to say that “the cause is too important to not support.”

Future Allied Health Professionals at Relay For Life
Jacob Fermaint I The Cougar’s Byte

The night started off with a few notable speeches. Student Organization President Nigel Donald spoke as well as Freshman Class President Jennifer Herrera. And one of the many survivors, Joslyn, that attended Relay For Life also spoke.  

Joslyn spoke of how she was affected by cancer. At the age of 16 her father was diagnosed with leukemia, who later passed away. A few years down the road, her youngest sister passed away from breast cancer. She comments that what was really tough to get through was when her mother passed away from breast cancer. Then she was diagnosed with cancer twice. She fought the tough battle, and is blessed to still be alive today.

There were plenty of survivors at the event, like Slyvia Evans. Evans comments that she was diagnosed with colon cancer a few years ago, “and I am proud to be a cancer survivor…this is the first time I am doing this, I never knew about it ‘till now.”

Slyvia Evans and her family
Jacob Fermaint I The Cougar’s Byte

Her family (her daughter, son, grandchildren, and husband) were with her through every step.

“The first time I got colon cancer, as they were operating on me, they realized that it had spread to my liver.” Evans spent six to eight months in chemo-therapy and in remission for eight weeks. By that time the cancer came back. But now she’s cancer-free and has been cancer-free for a little over a year.

Cancer is never easy to get through and hopefully one day, cancer won’t be a problem. But as of right now, people are being diagnosed with some of the most deadly cancers out there like breast cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer. Let’s help find an end to this disease.

Want to donate to the American Cancer Society? Visit the American Cancer Society website to donate as well as learn more information about cancer.

Team Ema's Diamond Dollies at Relay For Life
Jacob Fermaint I The Cougar’s Byte