Students in UNM's Relay for Life organization are raising money for the American Cancer Society, encouraging their peers to help cure a disease that affects all walks of life.
The Relay for Life event takes place in communities and colleges across the country, and UNM's chapter is hosting the Celebration of Hope Week in the SUB this week.
"We're having a Celebration of Hope Week, and it's in honor of survivors and their caregivers," said Sandy Huynh, spokeswoman for UNM's Relay for Life. "We're going to have information about cancer research and about where the money from Relay for Life goes to."
Huynh said most of the money raised by UNM for the American Cancer Society stays in New Mexico and benefits UNM Hospital. Last year, UNM raised about $20,000, she said.
Eight months of fundraising culminate in a Relay for Life celebration in April, where volunteer teams of students, faculty and community members compete to raise the most money.
Katie Schultz, co-chairwoman of the team-development and recruitment committee, said anyone interested in becoming a team captain can do so.
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"The success behind Relay is the people who want to be there and who want to do it, and so I don't think it's necessary that you be a doctor or a pre-med major," she said. "If you want to help support cancer research and stop this disease, then you should be able to help raise money."
Schultz said Relay for Life is popular because cancer is a disease that affects all people.
"The thing about cancer, like all diseases, is it doesn't discriminate. It can affect anyone at any time," she said. "A lot of the people who feel the need to form a team do it because they were a caregiver . or people who had cancer form a team, and that's their way of fighting back."
Student Ted Kircher is the team captain for the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity team.
"Last year, my mom passed away from cancer, so we all decided to put together a team," he said. "Numerous brothers in the house have been affected, and so we decided we would put one together."
Kircher said his team has raised $800 since the September kickoff and a total of $4,300 since last year.
Schultz said 18 teams have signed up for the relay already and that 33 teams participated last year.
Huynh said she wants to see at least 50 teams participate this time around.
She said everyone should consider signing up because the Relay for Life gives students valuable experience and informs them about the plight of some of their peers.
"I think it's really important because it raises awareness," Huynh said. "A lot of people don't realize that people our age, college students ... are affected by cancer, and it's a great way to see cancer research progressing. If we get the word out, people will understand that the money stays here and actually does something."
To sign up, visit RelayForLife.org/relay/relaymap
