Gannon University’s Relay for Life will take place on Friday, March 23 from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Gannon’s Recreation and Wellness Center, 103 W. Fourth Street. The theme this year is “Relaying Through the Decades.”
“Relay For Life is something personal,” said Relay For Life Faculty Adviser Jax Vadney. “Every single person who relays is doing it because they feel drawn to the cause. Everyone who is at relay for life, has been touched in some way by cancer. It knows no bounds, it does not discriminate, it affects us all.”
The event, a popular fundraiser in the American Cancer Society’s fight to end cancer, gets underway with an opening prayer at 1 p.m., including a welcome from Dr. Keith Taylor, Gannon University president, will speak in support of Relay for Life and make a special presentation. Erie Seawolves’ mascot C. Wolf will be stopping by to entertain and interact with the crowd from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Survivors and Caregivers will be celebrated with a Survivors Ceremony and special Survivors dinner beginning at 5 p.m. There will be a remembrance Luminaria ceremony at 10 p.m., with a closing ceremony at 12:30 a.m.
“For me, I was introduced to the word cancer over 20 years ago when my mom was diagnosed,” Vadney continues. “And I started to fight back almost exactly 20 years ago when she lost her battle. Yes, Relay For Life helps to raise money to fund research to find a cure. But our Gannon Relay For Life is more than that. Our event brings our community together to show each other support. As survivors and caregivers and community members, we join voices to say ‘You are not alone.’ We walk together in hope, with compassion, and with commitment to help be part of the solution, that one day there will be a cure.”
On-site fundraising events, music, dance challenges and more will be offered through the event. Victor E. Knight will join for the full event and 90.5 WERG FM will be broadcasting live.
Organizers expect 275-300 participants, many of whom will be cancer survivors, and the public is invited to participate.
Registration will be available at the event and online at www.relayforlife.org/pagannon.
UPDATE: VIEW PHOTOS FROM THIS YEAR’S RELAY EVENT HERE.
