The ribbons, pins and bracelets of organizations that raise money and awareness for their various causes have become as recognizable as the golden arches of McDonald’s and Mickey Mouse ears. We drop a couple dollars and wear the badge of our donation, and nobody questions our commitment to charity. These successful and popular organizations have changed the formula for fundraising, but as Relay For Life of Georgetown University has proven, a grassroots event can be just as successful, and, perhaps, more rewarding. Relay For Life, a night-long relay race to raise money and awareness for cancer research and recovery programs sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will return to Georgetown this spring after tremendous success with its debut last spring. Although the event is only in its second year here at Georgetown, ACS has already set the official goal of the 2008 Relay For Life of
Georgetown University at $500,000, but co-chair Mike Tyler (SFS ’09) believes that this has the potential to become a million-dollar event. Citing the enthusiasm of last year that has already been reignited and the progress continuing this year at such a fast pace, he thinks that a million dollars doesn’t seem far off.

To have such a goal after only one year would seem outrageous, but Relay was brought to Georgetown in an organized effort that was full of passion and dedication. Tyler had participated in Relay For Life since high school, continually inspired by family and friends who were faced with the fight against cancer. After meeting at a party for The Corp, he joined forces with Frank O’Driscoll (MSB ’08), who had organized a Relay during his freshman year at Loyola College in Maryland. They immediately became interested in working together to bring the program to Georgetown. In the spring of 2006, they organized a team of dedicated students to communicate with the ACS and make plans to host Relay For Life at Georgetown. The majority of Relays have the goal of raising a net of $35,000, but because of O’Driscoll’s experience in organizing Relays, the ACS set last year’s goal of the events at Georgetown at $50,000. Nevertheless, the chairs of the event were unsure of how the event would be received by Georgetown; Tyler said he was concerned that the community’s enthusiastic involvement in various charities may in fact work to Relay For Life’s disadvantage, because people would be too involved in their own separate charities and organizations. But the organization surpassed all expectations, raising a remarkable $289,000 for the ACS and becoming the largest grossing rookie event of the year, reported the ACS.

The numbers are enough to represent the success of the event, but Relay For Life is truly a victory because of the direct involvement of participants.
“It’s not just about the money,” said Tyler, who returned to co-chair the event this year along with Liz Tobia (MSB ’09) and Kristy Hoefling (MSB ’09). “It’s about community involvement, so just trying to facilitate that as much as possible is really what our committee does.”

Tyler doesn’t believe in broad faceless fundraising, opting instead for more personal participation — ranging from team captains and members putting on assorted fundraising events to students volunteering at nearby ACS service programs.

Last year, smaller grassroots fundraising events included the Women’s Club Soccer team taking donations at a game and various performance groups passing around a donation can at their shows. “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Relay because of the amazing success it had last year,” said Layla Zaidane (SFS ’10), captain of one of this year’s women’s club soccer Relay teams. “It’s incredible to see campus come together for one night, and it’s a great feeling to know that the women’s club soccer team is a part of it all.”

But beyond raising money, the Relay For Life Committee has set up a volunteer initiative to work for Road to Recovery, a program that provides transportation for cancer patients who are unable to transport themselves to and from treatments. The committee is also planning a trip to Baltimore to visit Hope Lodge, temporary housing set up by the ACS that provides a shelter and a nurturing atmosphere for cancer patients who had to leave their homes in order to receive treatment.

“People are raising money, and that’s great,” said Tyler, “but people want to personally feel involved and personally make a difference, and we’re attacking it from all angles.”
He attributed the feeling of unity among volunteers to the abundance of possibilities to get involved. While the main event is the night of Relay For Life, scheduled for April 18, organizers are encouraging teams to establish events and participate in the volunteer programs. With all of these opportunities that are essentially completely organized and carried out by students, there is a sense of a campus-wide movement.

There is also a common motivation behind participating in Relay For Life that creates a bond between everyone involved — which often includes an experience with a friend or family member.
“The night of the Relay is an emotional experience that inspires those of us that have faced the challenges of helping a loved one battle cancer,” said Relay team captain Eric Mooney (SFS ’10). Mooney was inspired by his mother’s fight against cancer and continues to participate in memory of the growing number of loved ones that he has lost to the disease. “I believe that the Relay unites, that the participants realize a Georgetown community passionate for the chance to fight back in the memory of those they love.”

Tobia originally joined because of her family’s past experiences with cancer, but this year she said she was inspired to take a leading role as co-chair in this year’s Relay For Life committee after her best friend’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer just a few weeks after last year’s Relay. “Chairing an event this large is never easy, and that is why it is important to constantly remember why we relay and who we relay for,” she said. The committee has high hopes for this year’s Relay For Life event. The group is hosting their 2008 Kickoff Event this Sunday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Intercultural Center Galleria, where students will learn about the mission of Relay For Life, the goals of ACS and how to participate either by starting or joining a team.

ACS has reported that the committee and the Georgetown community have already made great progress in reaching their goals for Relay 2008 — there are currently 71 teams of 257 participants who have already raised $26,587 — but this event will jump-start the season leading up to the night of the Relay.

Tyler said that Georgetown, with its spirit and enthusiasm for charity, is capable of reaching the million-dollar mark and will serve as an example for other colleges. “With this type of involvement,” he said, “we will eliminate cancer.”