Pictured are participants at the 2014 Relay for Life event
at the Kent State University Field House.The 2015 event
will take place Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. and end Saturday,
April 18, at noon.

(Photo provided by Nathan Beals)

Kent State University will host Relay for Life, beginning Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. and ending Saturday, April 18, at noon in the Kent State Field House.

Relay for Life events are organized, overnight community fundraising walks that benefit the American Cancer Society. The event, which helps to fight cancer, celebrates the lives of people who have battled cancer and remembers loved ones who lost their battle against the disease.

Kent State has participated in Relay for Life since 2003. This year, 53 teams are registered and more than $34,000 has already been raised. Teams have been raising money all year long; however, some teams will have onsite fundraisers to encourage even more donations. Fundraising will continue through the summer until Aug. 31.

Every year, Relay for Life has a theme for teams to decorate their booths and surroundings. This year, the theme is “Celebrating More Birthdays.” Teams are encouraged to plan their booth accordingly.

Kent State students Maggie McQuaid, sophomore human development/family studies major, Kaitlyn Somody, early childhood education major, and Lauren Blumenthal, fashion design major, are the undergraduate planning committee leads. Kent State’s Nathan Beals, graduate advisor for Relay for Life, assists the undergraduate leadership team that plans the event.

“I hope this is an opportunity for anyone who attends to get the chance to help out a tremendous cause and the fight against cancer,” Beals says. “The planning committee has spent the entire year finding ways to help teams fundraise and raise awareness in ways that are fun and unique to our event.”

The opening ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a survivor’s reception and activities to celebrate those who have battled cancer. The Luminaria Ceremony will begin around 9:30 p.m. as a time to remember people who have lost their battle with cancer. Luminarias can be bought on the Kent State Relay for Life website or at the event for $10. Food-eating contests and a variety of entertainment events will run every half-hour, highlighting other Kent State student groups and organizations. The closing ceremony will take place at noon on Saturday.

For more information about the event, including how to register or donate, visit www.relayforlife.org/ksu.