Relay for Life: April 4-5
February 26, 2008, Volume 54, No. 23	Print Issue

Relay for Life is an overnight event held annually at Franklin Field during which we honor cancer survivors and remember those who have lost their battles. Participants form teams that take turns walking around the track all night to symbolize that cancer never sleeps. The evening includes food, games, live entertainment, and celebrations. This year’s event is scheduled for April 4 and 5 from 8 p.m. through 8 a.m.

Relay for Life at Penn has experienced tremendous growth since 2003. Last year, over 1,200 participants raised over $140,000, which will benefit the American Cancer Society and its many programs. This year’s goal is to raise $200,000. We are reaching out to the entire Penn community and inviting you all to participate. The involvement of the faculty and staff will greatly enhance this event, making it one of the few campus events that involves the entire Penn community at large.

We ask that you assist us in achieving this objective by helping us to reach out to this population at Penn. In addition, we would like to extend the invitation to friends and family. We understand that many faculty members are reluctant to attend an all-night event; however, we would like to emphasize that they are not required to stay for the entire duration of the event. We would especially like to involve all members of the Penn community who have been touched by cancer and honor them during our Survivor’s Lap and our Luminaria Ceremony, as well as provide further support for them by connecting them to the American Cancer Society.

For more information, please visit http://events.cancer.org/rflpaupenn or contact Kevin Rakszawski by e-mail at kevinrak@seas.upenn.edu with any questions.

—Kevin Rakszawski, Survivorship Chair of the American Cancer Society’s
Relay for Life at Penn