Colleges Against Cancer celebrates HOPE Day

By Samantha Murray, staff

April 18, 2018

HOPE Day, held the Tuesday before Relay for Life, is a day to spread the HOPE for a world without cancer and to fundraise for the American Cancer Society. 

 

By Annie Segal ’18, Director of Survivor Relations for Colleges Against Cancer

Colleges Against Cancer’s final fundraising stretch kicked off on April 17 and leads up to the 6th annual Relay for Life at Elon University.

From left, Alexa Trost ’18, Dani Dunleavy ’18, Elana Kaplan ’19, Brian Sputh ’19, Hannah Winchell ’18, and Lily Mandell ’18 (left to right)
The Tuesday before Relay is known as HOPE Day, a day to spread the HOPE for a world without cancer, and to fundraise for the American Cancer Society. With events throughout the day, including college coffee, bake sales, and a special luminaries event, the day was very successful and brought the organization to approximately 500 registered participants and more than $40,000 raised.

​​All of this leads up to the main event, Relay for Life, which will take place on Friday, April 20, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the PARC in Danieley Center. The event is focused on celebrating the lives of loved ones, remembering those we have lost to cancer, and fighting back against this awful disease. Throughout the night survivors and caregivers will share their personal stories and experiences with cancer. There will also be live entertainment, food trucks and many fun activities.

All of the money raised at Relay for Life goes towards the American Cancer Society, who are dedicated to helping all cancer patients in all aspects of care. The money raised through Relay for Life funds five incredible programs.  

  • Reach to Recovery matches newly diagnosed patients with survivors to help guide them through their journey. 
  • Road to Recovery provides free rides to and from treatment and various appointments.
  • Look Good Feel Better connects cancer patients with beauticians to help them feel beautiful and bold,
  • Hope Lodges allow patients and families that need to travel for treatment to forget about pricey hotel bills and focus on the fight with free lodging options, and the 24-hour support line is available day or night to support patients and caretakers with comfort, reassurance, and resources.

Clockwise from top left, Hannah Winchell ’18, Dani Dunleavy ’18, Jamie Inlander ’20 and Kristin Shipp ’19
Without the money raised by Relay for Life none of these programs would be possible. Cancer is a battle and every warrior deserves to have an army of support!

All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to join Elon Colleges Against Cancer in walking through the night to fight a disease that never sleeps. Participants can register at any point online at relay.org/elon or at the doors the day of. You can drop in for part of the event or stay the entire 12 hours. 

Registration is $15, all of which goes directly towards helping cancer patients and their families through the American Cancer Society.  Those who cannot attend the event should consider making a donation or dedicating a luminaria via the website. 

Thank you for your support in helping us raise $125,000 for the American Cancer Society!

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