Greetings and salutations, Iowa State students! This Friday, March 27, you have the opportunity to partake in a life-changing event here on the Iowa State campus. The fourth annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life will take place at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center beginning at 7 p.m. and lasting until 7 a.m. Saturday, March 28.

For those who have never participated in a Relay For Life event, it is truly an amazing experience. And for those who have participated in the past, I encourage you to come out and see how different and high-energy a college Relay is.

In our past three years, we have seen a combined 3,200 people come together to raise over $225,000 for the American Cancer Society!

The event starts at 7 p.m. with a survivors’ lap in which cancer survivors from around the community are honored and cheered on by all of the event participants.

Another highlight of the night will be the luminaria ceremony, which will be a lights-out tribute to all of those who have been affected by cancer. Today in America alone there are approximately 10.8 million individuals who have heard the words, “You have cancer.” In 2008, it was estimated that more than 1.4 million new cases would be diagnosed. No one is immune, and approximately 1 in 3 of us will hear those same scary words.

Our event is open to the public, and there will be many fundraisers and opportunities to donate throughout the night. We hold our event overnight because cancer never sleeps, and we invite all Iowa State students, faculty, and staff along with Ames community members to take up the battle with us!

To check our progress or for more information, please visit: www.relayforlife.org/iowastate.

Hope to see you there!

Laura Johnson

Sara King

Diane Ruff

Relay For Life Publicity Co-chairwomen