Relay for Life raises over $100,000 for cancer

Author: Hilary Hall

Despite torrential rain this weekend, Relay for Life pulled it together on May 1 to create a successful event, raising over $100,000 to fight cancer.

"We made the decision barely 48 hours before due to the chance of rain," said Relay for Life co-chair Ruthie Reinken '09. "The transition went very smoothly, thanks to our awesome logistics team and the very flexible facilities staff."

"We certainly had a lot more to figure out," agreed co-chair Tiffany Orlowski '09. "But we were able to make it all work out."

With the move, the Relay took place in Kenyon arena, where the group created a track within the rink. Participants, as usual, pitched tents and set up camp chairs around the walking/running area.

"I was bummed it wasn't outside, but it ran pretty smoothly," said participant Elizabeth Boyd '12.

Middlebury resident Sarah Raunecker, who did the relay with her young daughter, agreed, saying, "They did a great job making it work inside."

To entertain the hardworking participants, Relay enlisted the help of two dance troupes - Riddim - and a middle school dance crew from New York - as well as their own creative juices. Between performances, Relay-ers participated in theme laps like "Gold Rush" and "Three-Legged Race."

Orlowski credited the participants in the relay for its success this year.

"The people who are involved are always incredibly supportive," she said. "We have some teams that participate every year, and they are the ones who hold our event together. Although the committee and co-chairs change every year, it is the teams that keep coming back that provide the backbone to our event