Kate Greer - Staff Writer
Thursday, April 16, 2009 issue
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Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society抯 signature event, comes to UT this weekend to raise awareness about cancer and money for a cure.
The team walkathon starts at 7 p.m. Friday night and will last until 6 a.m. Saturday morning.
At 5 p.m. there will be a survivor reception to honor cancer survivors. The track will be in Circle Park.
揥e walk all night to symbolize that cancer never sleeps,� Andrew Rutherford, executive coordinator for Relay For Life, said.
Approximately 850 to 900 participants will be circling the Torchbearer Friday night.
揂 lot of people of friends who battle cancer, they only see it part of the time, but it is important for people to understand that (cancer) is a 24-7, 365-day disease and it doesn抰 stop at night,� Rutherford said.
A major aspect of this event is honoring the cancer survivors. Survivors from Knoxville and other parts of Tennessee will be present for the relay.
Rutherford said their motivation is helping people remember their lost loved ones as well as the survivors.
He also said he has a special connection to Relay For Life because his mother is a multiple myeloma cancer survivor.
揑t was difficult to deal with at first, and I questioned a lot about how I thought the world worked,� Rutherford said. 揑 struggled with my faith for about a year until I decided to start fighting back against cancer. Relay For Life provided me with the healing that my heart needed and has allowed me to gain perspective on everything I dealt with during those years.�
Rutherford encourages students that have dealt with cancer in some shape or form to get involved with Relay For Life.
揊or students who have felt the pain cancer can cause, whether they are a survivor or have been touched some other way by this disease, Relay For Life is an amazing place to find comfort and a great time to mend your heart,� Rutherford said.
The survivor reception will be lead by Bonnie Hufford, journalism and electronic media professor and a chronic leukemia cancer survivor. It has been 31 years since her diagnosis, and she has actively helped with Relay For Life since 2003. Hufford will kick off the beginning of the storytelling at the survivor dinner as she shares her personal struggle with cancer and how it has forever changed her life.
Hufford also may potentially receive the Hero of Hope award, given by the American Cancer Society to only 20 people in the country to honor their active roles in their community to help Relay For Life.
揙ne of the things that I抳e always been the proudest about for working for Relay For Life is that so much of the money raised by Relay For Life goes right back into providing services and information for cancer patients,� Hufford said.
The ACS uses about 95 percent of their raised funds to help cancer patients.
Rutherford also encourages people to become a member of ACS Can, a networking program that asks its members to write their congressmen about legislation to support research, education, advocacy and patient services. ACS Can also helps keep its members informed about the current local, state and federal legislation about cancer.
Three-year participant and junior in recreation and leisure Amanda Roberson said seeing the cancer survivors is the most inspirational part of Relay For Life.
揑 believe it抯 an important cause, and I believe everyone on campus is affected by it,� Roberson said. Roberson抯 childhood neighbor and members of her church have been affected by cancer and have touched her life.
揑t抯 huge and it抯 all over,� she said. 揟o get involved is a good way to show people that you care.�
Participants will also be entertained as they make their way around the Torchbearer, jamming to local bands and special guests, as The Less, Brad Passons, Genuine Nothing and The Blue Lovelys will perform.
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