By: Jonelle Bobak
Relay for Life was a glowing success as the Gardner-Webb Community came together on Saturday night. Due to the chance of inclement weather, the venue was changed from Spangler Football Stadium to the Lutz-Yelton Convocation Center.
The atmosphere was bright and active. People crowded the hallways and Paul Porter Arena walking for the cure and visiting different booths.
“It was a great turn-out and a really special time,” said Anna Peachey, one of the student co-chairs for Relay for Life.
At the start of the event they had the “survivor lap” where all cancer survivors took a walk around the gymnasium. Others could walk around the indoor track of the LYCC and read posters that describe the different kinds of cancer.
There were many different Gardner-Webb clubs and sports teams that were setup to raise money for cancer research.
The Students North Carolina Association of Educators (SNCAE) was helping to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Participants were allowed to make a bracelet and card for a child with cancer. The cards will be taken to a hospital that is helping to treat children with cancer.
“We wanted to bring a smile to the children’s faces and give them hope,” said Olivia Bouknight, a member of SNCAE.
The Gardner-Webb Swim Team helped to raise money by letting people pay for pictures with them in their speedos. There were performances by Joyful Hands, Heart of Fire Dance Ministry, and Acafelons.
Amanda Collins, a freshman, had been helping setup since 9 a.m. and didn’t want to be anywhere else.
“My favorite part was the Heart of Fire performance and the swimmers because they were funny,” Collins said. Her mom and sister also attended and enjoyed their time together.
Julie Pearson, a representative for many different Relay for Life’s around Cleveland County area, was excited for the night to begin. “It has been absolutely marvelous and everybody has been amazing,” said Pearson. “I have had more fun tonight that any other Relay.”
Photo by Hannah Haggerty
Later in the night the lights went out and luminaries began to glow all around the arena to represent the ones that have passed away, the ones that are currently fighting cancer and the survivors.
Luminaries normally have sand and a candle on the inside, but due to the indoors event; they had sand and a glow stick.
Speaker, Debbie Ferrell, spoke about her journey of being a two-time cancer survivor. She is an advocate for bone marrow transplant and is a board member of the Project Life movement.
According to Anna Peachey, GWU has raised $19,000 to date and has until May to raise the remaining $12,000. If they raise over $30,000 they will be recognized as an official Relay site.
There will be other events on campus throughout the year to continue to support cancer research.
“We are planning to do a Rave or dance and the sports teams are still doing things to help raise money,” Peachey said.