1st meeting held for annual fund-raiser

For senior Teasa Thompson, "Relay for Life, IU" is not simply another walk. Thompson, a cancer survivor, who had acute lymphocytic leukemia in August 1999, stresses how important the event is not only for those struggling with cancer, but those who have overcome its obstacles.\nAccording to the American Cancer Society, 1,368,030 people diagnosed with cancer each year. And research is continually needed to help find a cure. In conjunction with IU, the ACS annually holds Relay for Life to help continue funding research that will ultimately help thousands of people each year. \nThompson said the fact that many people show up to the event to help fund research for a cure is remarkable.\n"It makes me ecstatic that people care, to see everyone come out and support the people they care for," Thompson said. "It gives hope to people with cancer and to give that hope is great to me."\nThe myriad of people who are involved in the planning and organization of Relay for Life, which will be held April 9 and 10, met Tuesday night to help fund additional research at their organizational meeting. About 175 people came to help show their support for the event. But for cancer survivors and the people involved in the effort, it means a lot more.\nRelay for Life is organized mostly by students. Not all of them know someone with cancer, but because the disease is so widespread, all help is important. A captain initially organizes a group of interested people to form a team. The team then looks to find a sponsor who will donate a set amount of money depending on the amount of laps the team runs, hoping to raise money for a charity they believe in.\nWith many people affected by cancer, through family, friends and sometimes even themselves, being involved in this event brings people together to help find a cure.\nAlthough she does not know anyone with the disease, senior Amanda Wheeler, IU's Relay for Life chairwoman, said it has taught her to appreciate things, such as seeing patients.\n"The majority of our money (goes) to research and that is the most important aspect," Wheeler said. "The American Cancer Society is attempting to find a cure so we no longer have to have this event."\nAlong with the people who are participating to help raise money are those who have already survived the disease and are in remission.\nAnother person who has had to deal with cancer's effects is Community Development Director of the American Cancer Society, Blair Boles, whose grandpa passed away from lung cancer and emphysema and also had two aunts with breast cancer. Boles said she believes the students can benefit from the event through them knowing that they have helped attempt to save a life.\n"They also meet new people and have fun," Boles said. "It gives them an opportunity to raise awareness to fight cancer. It is also a time to honor and remember those who have or had cancer."\nFreshman Milissa Eley, who was the guest speaker at the event, lost her mother to cancer.\n"If you haven't already had someone close to you with cancer, you may soon and the odds are in favor of it," Eley said. "It's one of the only things in life that will only benefit others and you can do no harm by participating."\nOthers are involved in Relay for Life because they've found inspiration in the fund-raiser, including freshman Claudia Rhye.\n"During high school my cousin passed away while attending Notre Dame, both of my grandmothers had cancer also," Rhye said. "I think people, especially students, are oblivious to the fact that they can get it to."\nRhye participated in Relay for Life in Crown Point, Ind.,during high school. This event has helped her get involved in the community in a way she never thought possible, she said. Comforting people through volunteering has been a blessing to her, Rhye said.\n"I think people fail to realize the impact of just being present, seeing all those people makes them feel and know that they are being supported," Rhye said.\nA team captain meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 in the Georgian Room of the Indiana Memorial Union to prepare for the race/run April 9 and 10 at the Gladstein Fieldhouse. The event begins at noon April 9 and ends at 10 a.m. April 10. To participate, visit www.acsevents.org/relay/in/iu to sign up and get started to help find a cure.\nThompson, who has also had cancer, said she believes only good can come from this event.\n"I'm greatly appreciative for Relay for Life because it gives people a sense of hope and lets them know people are there and care," Thompson said. "We're all working towards a collaborative effort and that is to improve the lives of those touched by cancer."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Ryne Shadday at rshadday@indiana.edu.