Gettysburg College cancer awareness group wins state award

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Gettysburg's chapter of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) won national recognition for its Relay for Life fundraising marathon and announced plans for upcoming events.

The chapter, formed just last year, raised $59,766 through its Relay for Life this past April. The total was the second highest per student nationally among colleges and universities with enrollments under 5,000. The chapter was named Pennsylvania Rookie of the Year during the Relay for Life Youth Summit that convened Nov. 10-11 at Penn State in State College.

"We learned a lot at this conference and are extremely excited as we're starting to plan this year's Relay, which should be even bigger and better than last year," said chapter Vice President Casey Fauth.

Last year's event more than doubled the chapter's goal of $25,000. Some 50 teams, most representing campus organizations, gathered pledges in support of a 12-hour "marathon" reflecting the theme Cancer Never Sleeps. At all times, at least one member of each team walked on the track in the College's Hauser Field House. Those not walking took part in a wide range of games and activities, from massages to a hot dog eating competition.

"Last year we had no idea what would to expect," Fauth said. "There was such a wonderful turnout. It surpassed every goal we could have remotely imagined."

The goals for this year's Relay for Life - planned from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. April 4 and 5 - are 73 teams and $75,000. In keeping with the theme Fighting Cancer Around the World, activities will include sumo wrestling and bullfighting games and much more. Because of the chapter's increased goals, the event will take place in a larger space: Musselman Stadium. The event's motto will be Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.

The chapter hopes many cancer survivors will attend. Last year's event honored a Gettysburg student who is in remission for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Lynne O'Connell, a junior economics major from Bayside, N.Y. "Her family surprised her at the opening ceremony," Fauth said. "It was really awesome." Approximately 25 survivors attended.

A kick-off party for this year's Relay for Life is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 30 in Room 260 of the College Union Building. Anyone who wants to learn more or get involved is welcome. Information is available at www.events.cancer.org/rflpagettysburgcollege or by contacting chapter President Niki Creamer at creani01@gettysburg.edu or Fauth at fautca01@gettysburg.edu.

Creamer said she decided to found the chapter, which includes about 30 active members, after four friends of her family were diagnosed with cancer within a three-month period. She heard about Relay for Life events from friends on other campuses and decided to take action. "I was really excited to be able to do more," said Creamer, a senior health sciences major from Baldwin, Md.

Fauth chaired last year's Relay for Life. A senior biology major from York, Pa., she is planning to go on to medical school.

The Relay for Life is not the chapter's only activity. For example, the group hosted a Pink Party on campus in mid-October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness. About 100 attended the awareness-raising event.

Colleges Against Cancer is a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by initiating and supporting programs of the American Cancer Society.

Posted Nov. 19, 2007
By Jim Hale

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