University of Portland Students Relay for Life

This year’s Relay for Life event at the University of Portland was a bit shy of its overall goal of nearly $55,000, but did raise a total of $38,045 as of May 2. Although the teams did not reach their expected goal, event organizers still see the event as a success.

“Overall, we definitely accomplished what we set out to do,” Locke Bielefeldt, UP junior and Relay for Life logistics coordinator said. “We were able to spread the word about Relay for Life to the UP community and still raise quite a bit of money.”

Participants in Relay for Life join together on teams to more effectively raise money. Each team member sets a personal fundraising goal to help his or her team reach its desired goal. The idea is based on community empowerment and the more people involved the better, according to the Relay for Life website and mission statement.

Nearly half of the 52 teams fundraised over $500, 13 fundraised $1,000 or more.

“Fundraising can be very difficult on a college campus” senior Danielle Castro said. “You are often going to the same people when soliciting donations and you really have to become creative in the way you fundraise. You can only hold so many bake sales within a year.”

Castro knows how much effort it takes when fundraising. She volunteered her time this year for two non-profit organizations in the area, while also participating in Relay for Life.

“Although this year’s Relay for Life didn’t raise as much money as expected, the event was still a success," Castro said. "You can’t just look at things based on money – there was a lot of energy behind the people who did participate and the organizers will be able to build off of that for next year.”

According to UP junior Caitlin Yilek, team captain of Save Our Ta-Ta’s, Relay for Life participants had to be persistent this year in their fundraising.

Yilek’s team raised over $5,400, which was the most money fundraised this year by any team.

"Our original goal was $1,000," Yilek said. "I never expected my team to raise over $5,000. But, I kept pushing my team to send emails and make phone calls to their families and friends."

According to Yilek, Save Our Ta-Ta's sent hundreds of emails to family and friends asking for donations over the course of the school year.

"Not everyone is going to donate," Yilek said, "But if you are enthusiastic about the cause and bringing awareness to it, you can raise a lot of money."

What is Relay for Life?

Relay for Life is an overnight event where participants agree to raise money and awareness for cancer research and advocacy. The event takes place on a track or other walking arena where people can continually participate in laps working to advocate for cancer research.
Relay for Life’s overall mission works to empower participants, cancer survivors, care givers, loved ones, and advocates to unite and fight back against cancer. Through Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society’s work people have the power to advocate for research funding, access to care, patient’s rights, and other issues critical to eliminating the pain and suffering that cancer creates for people.

Why do UP students 'Relay?'

Every person that participates in Relay for Life has his or her own reason for attending the fundraising event.

“I relay to fight back,” Event Chair Chris Vennes said.

Cancer has affected many of Vennes’ family and friends. Like Vennes, Relay for Life is a very personal event for Brie Colangelo, a UP junior nursing major.

“I relay because cancer is such an evil disease that greatly affected my family,” Colangelo said. “I don’t want to see anyone suffer the way my family had to suffer.”

Colangelo’s dad died two years ago from lung cancer.

For some participants it is about raising money to fight against a disease that has personally impacted them. For others, it is about supporting a noteworthy cause and calling attention to a disease that does not yet have a cure.

Meridee Kaiel, an administrative assistant at UP, has been participating in Relay for Life for the past five years.

“For me, Relay for Life is a great opportunity to be involved with what students are doing here,” Kaiel said. “It’s a great organization and raises a lot of money for an amazing cause.” “I can’t find a better way to be involved than through this.”

Where do Relay for Life donations go?

With hundreds of Relay for Life events occurring across the country, not just at UP, the question is often asked, “Where does all the money go that is raised?”

The Relay for Life website provides information on where different donations could be used and provides a brief assessment of how each donation can truly impact someone.

Although the event took place on April 16 and 17 on the University of Portland campus donations are still being accepted for the University of Portland's Relay for Life.

For more information visit Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.

by Caitlin Yilek, Roya Ghorbani-Elizeh, Colin Dorwart and Katie Scally