Last weekend's Relay For Life raised more than $13,000 for the American Cancer Society, making it one of the largest fund-raising events of the year.
The annual event was the product of a lot of hard work, Andrew Fritz, Relay For Life co-chairman, said.
"It feels awesome," Fritz said. "It feels like all the committee's hard work paid off."
Relay For Life, sponsored by Sick of Smoke Coalition, took place from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday at LaFollette Field.
About 500 people attended, and 35 tents were pitched, he said. The event primarily included Ball State students and faculty, Fritz said.
The majority of the event's proceeds came from the teams' fund raising, Sarah Specht, Relay For Life co-chairwoman, said.
Fritz said Relay For Life raised about $4,000 last year and had a turnout of about 13 teams. He is glad this year's event more than doubled last year's success, he said.
"It feels really good, and I know it's only going to get larger," he said. "The goal for next year is to raise more money, get more people involved and hopefully have more fun. The students this year had a lot of fun. I've heard only good complements."
Devoted participants and a hard-working planning committee contributed significantly to the event's overall success, Specht said.
"Our planning committee was absolutely incredible -- it was definitely the committee that made a difference," Specht said. "Also, this year people from last year knew about the event, and they wanted to get more involved."
Fritz is pleased Ball State was able to make an outstanding contribution to the American Cancer Society, he said.
"The overall importance is to help find a solution to cancer," Fritz said. "Hundreds of thousands of people die every year from cancer. Everyone knows someone who has cancer or who has died from cancer, so this affects quite a few people."
In the future, Ball State's new student organization, Colleges Against Cancer, will sponsor Relay For Life. The organization, which was approved at the end of March, is affiliated with the American Cancer Society, Fritz said, who serves as the CAC's president.
Specht, who serves as CAC's vice president, looks forward to next year's Relay For Life and hopes the Ball State community will raise even more money for cancer research, prevention and awareness, she said.
"I hope Ball State will continue to keep doubling and doubling its fund raiser for the event," Specht said. "I'm very proud of everyone who has participated, and I definitely hope the program continues to grow."
Relay For Life demonstrates how well the Ball State community works together, Specht said.
"It's incredible how everyone can work together for such a good cause," Specht said. "It says a lot about the Ball State community."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
