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Relay for Life

In a world filled with bad guys, it seems as if the one with the greatest impact is cancer. But just like in all stories, there is also a hero who combats the villain. In this case, the hero is the Relay for Life, a worldwide fundraiser event for the American Cancer Society, which MC is participating in.

This event started in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt, when he ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money. Since then, Relay for Life has become an international event, and has raised more than four billion dollars. To this day, the concept of this event hasn’t changed – individuals and teams walk laps for 24 hours in order to raise money.

A MC Team will be participating in Relay for Life at Hilltop Community Park, on May 18. The team was formed by Ms. Cashion, a Spanish teacher. The football team, Key Club, and French Club are helping her with this event. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and this is her second time participating in Relay for Life.

“Last year when I was diagnosed with cancer, my breast surgeon invited me to join her team,” Cashion said. “I was still in shock and I wasn’t expecting it [cancer] yet and I decided this would be a good way for me to get used to the idea and meet people who’ve been through it.”

That experience has had a big impact on Cashion, and she wants to continue raising money this year.

“ Just on our campus here last year four staff members came down with cancer and since then a couple more so it’s just a way to, you know, you want to do something for people and this is something you can do. I feel like I have benefitted so much from the services of the American Cancer Society and I just want to help,” Cashion said.

Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society, which in turn funds various programs. This includes facilities for cancer patients who travel for treatment, transportation to and from treatments, free classes on beauty techniques during chemotherapy, and more.

Key Club is helping to organize this event. The club has made three task committees – publicity, fundraising, and event day coordination. Junior Justin Fan, vice president of Key Club, has a high goal for the amount of money raised.

“I want to personally make a hundred dollars and I hope that every single member participating makes a hundred dollars, that would be a lot of money,” Fan said.

There are many ways to donate to this cause, and it’s not limited to being on the team and walking laps. Students can participate in fundraisers at MC, or directly donate money. If interested in participating in the actual event, one can sign up on the MC Team website.  A minimum donation must be made in order to join the team.

Fan is looking forward to participating in the night shift of Relay for Life.

“The overnight thing is that cancer never rests, so that just one day in our lives we just keep walking for twenty four hours,” Fan said. “It symbolizes how though cancer never rests, there will always be people to help you.”

Cashion and Fan both encourage people to join this event.

“Cancer applies to everyone and it doesn’t discriminate,” Fan said. “It affects everyone’s life eventually and all you can do is ask for the support of the community and your fellow people.”