Lake Forest College's annual Relay For Life event took place April 4-5 in Alumni Memorial Field House. More than $40,000 was raised and donated to the American Cancer Society.
Funds came from numerous sources, with the Forester football team leading all groups with more than $11,000 raised. "It was inspiring to see our players rise to the occasion," began head coach Jim Catanzaro. "Although there were some large gifts, it was more a matter of many people 'chipping in.' This is a very meaningful event for the Forester family, and it is one that I am proud our guys rally around."
In addition to the event on campus, money was raised at a few local businesses and through the Forester Athletic Department's Playing for a Cure efforts at select home contests. CDW and Vida Bradley also made significant donations as event sponsors and additional funds were raised at a bake sale.
David Everly, Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at nearby Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, was the speaker at the Relay For Life opening ceremony. One of the event's traditional activities is the Lumanaria, a ceremony to honor those who have lost their battle to cancer, support those who are currently battling the disease, and celebrate those who have won their battle. Lumanaria bags with glow sticks illuminated the rink as two students shared their stories of losing a parent to cancer and the Chorale sang two songs. This year's event also included a hypnotist, Zumba instructor and pub trivia. Other activities included the "Miss.Relay Pageant," balloon stomp, pie in the face contest, craft corner, and limbo.
Since Lake Forest's first Relay For Life in 2007, the College has raised well over $350,000.
A time-lapse video of the event can be viewed below.
