Relay for Life beats fundraising goal with more than $74,000

Like mother, like daughter.\nKaren Smith and her daughter Jennifer Hanskat walked the Hayes Track in memory and support of those affected by cancer for IU’s fourth annual Relay for Life from 4 p.m. Saturday evening until 9 a.m. Sunday morning. \nFor both women, their footsteps meant they were survivors.\nWhen both women were 33 years old, they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Walking proud in their purple “survivor” T-shirts allowed them a chance to raise awareness for those who lost their battles to cancer and for those who celebrate their survival.\nThe event exceeded its fundraising goal, netting profits just over $74,000 for the American Cancer Society. Mike Grady, IU Relay for Life’s team development chairman, said money was still “rolling in.”\nMore than 800 participants and 59 teams registered for the event.\nParticipants were the main reason the Relay achieved its “lofty goal” of raising more than $6,000 than last year, Grady said. “The 2007 Relay for Life was one of the biggest ever at IU, and these numbers show great promise for the future for it at IU,” Grady said.\nAbout $5,000 was turned in at the event from donations throughout the evening. “A lot of generosity,” Grady said. “Thanks to the efforts of our participants and the generosity of the IU community.”\nAs the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event, Relay for Life supports those affected by cancer as well as people who know others who have died from the disease.\nFor Hanskat, it’s the time of year the event occurs at IU that means so much to her.\n“It’s coming up on the fourth anniversary since I was last diagnosed,” the 37-year-old said.\nBoth Hanskat and Smith love to walk, but especially for cancer charities. They have done numerous walks for breast cancer.\n“Everything we own is pink – see!” Smith said, showing off her pink jacket. \nHanskat was impressed at the young people who walked the track.\n“They could be anywhere,” she said. “It’s a Saturday night – they could be at the local bars or camped out watching TV, but instead they are doing something for someone other than themselves. ... That’s impressive to me.”\nIndividual student teams raised money as did greek organizations, other student-based teams from IU and any other participants willing to help the event.\n“Super Squad,” led by team captain and freshman Elizabeth Carroll, contained 13 members from her dorm floor in Foster Quad. The team raised $800 with the hope, as the back of their T-shirts proclaimed, to “wipe out cancer.”\nA “Rock Out Cancer” awareness concert, with live music from regional bands, highlighted the other events at Relay for Life.\nPausing at dusk, the traditional Luminaria Ceremony began the event, as candles in paper bags lined the track in memory of those affected by cancer. Some of those candles spelled out the word “hope” on the bleachers, a tribute to cancer patients.\nFor the sorority sisters of Phi Mu, this year’s relay had a different meaning.\n“We do relay every year for survivors, never in honor,” junior and team captain Alli Newell said. “This is the first year it is in honor.”\nIn January 2007, IU graduate Elena Ariano passed away of cancer. Two Phi Mu sisters – senior Amy Hayes and freshman Anna Berg – are also cancer survivors.\n“I’m doing Relay more for my grandpa,” Berg said. “When I was going through treatments, he came and visited when it was really bad to help as a pick-me-up, and then he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. So I’m doing it in support and memory of him.”\nPhi Mu raised $6,500, and the sisters sold Lifesavers candy, their theme for this year.\n“I really wish more people came out,” Berg said. “It’s a big event and so many people are affected. The support is overwhelming.”\nAll the members of Phi Mui attended the opening ceremony and nearly 60 participated.\n“I am unbelievably thankful,” Newell said. “There is no way I could go through the night without my sisters.”