Westfield State University to Host Second Annual Relay for Life

WESTFIELD — Following up last year’s successful event, Westfield State University will host its second annual Relay for Life on Friday, April 17 in Woodward Center’s indoor track. The event begins at 6 p.m. on the April 17 and concludes at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 18.

The inaugural Relay for Life raised more than $40,000. “Even thinking about it now, I am blown away by last year’s success,” said event organizer Beth Teague, president of the Relay for Life club. “With the short amount of time we had to plan and with how small our school is, nobody expected us to raise anywhere close to the amount we reached. The generosity of our community here, as well as our home communities, astounds me.”

Relay for Life is the main volunteer-driven fund-raising event of the American Cancer Society. Created in the U.S., the event has spread to 21 countries. Relays are held in local parks, campus universities, and military bases, and all proceeds go to cancer research and to improving the lives of those living with cancer. Relay for Life events have raised nearly $5 billion to date.

Teague has volunteered for numerous Relay for Life events during the past decade and wanted to bring the iconic fund-raiser to Westfield State.

“I participated in Relays off campus and realized there was no reason we shouldn’t have Relay for Life on the Westfield State campus,” Teague said. “I wanted to bring something that could make life better to the WSU campus, and it has been received so well. With such an amazing first year, I know this is going to be an event that stays strong at Westfield State in years to come.”

Teague said that the Relay for Life club plans to beat last year’s fund-raising total, setting a goal of $55,000 from this year’s event.

Westfield State University’s Relay for Life is open to students, faculty, staff, and the community. To sign up or donate, visit www.relayforlife.org/wsuma. The minimum fund-raising suggestion is $100 per participant.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Each year, more than 4 million people take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. To learn more about Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org or e-mail Teague at bteague8678@westfield.ma.edu.