It’s Georgetown’s first year participating in Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s annual fundraiser, but students here have made a splash. As of Wednesday night, Relay had raised $218,238, making Georgetown the fifth-ranked university in the nation and the top rookie university in the event’s history. Relay for Life’s leaders should be commended for their organization of the effort, and students deserve credit for their incredible fundraising.
The final total is likely to be far greater than the current total, as donations skyrocket during the final stretch—$23,000 was raised on Tuesday alone. It’s not too late to get involved. Teams for the all-night event on Saturday are still accepting members and Relay for Life will be accepting donations through Aug. 31 on its web site, www.RelayGU.org.
The success of Relay for Life is a testament not only to the generosity of the Georgetown community but also the dedication of the group’s initial staff, some of whom have been planning since last spring. Relay’s recruiting strategy was executed way back in September and October, when its leadership sought out friends they thought would make good team leaders. This proved to be especially effective—over 1,400 students, faculty, and area cancer survivors will take part in the event on Saturday night. Though GU’s Relay chapter enjoys the advantage of being attached to a nationally-recognized effort and receives supplies from ACS, Relay’s fundraising model should be emulated by future campus groups.
Hoyas have a recent history of philanthropic success. The Run for Rigby, held in memory of Dan Rigby (MSB ‘05), is now in its third year. It has established its place in the community and raised thousands of dollars for fire safety and a memorial High School scholarship. Now Relay for Life is continuing this tradition and setting an example for students at other colleges across the country.
In the process, Georgetown has been united once again. This time, it’s not thanks to Roy’s unstoppable baby hook shot or Jeff Green’s versatility but to a much more important cause: saving lives and reducing suffering. There’s still time to make a difference, so join the effort on Saturday night.
