Sporting dresses, loud voices and nimble legs, several men ran around the Ball State University campus, the Village and the Late Nite Carnival grounds Friday night during the American Cancer Society Relay for Life's "Miss Relay" pageant.
The competitors, who petitioned friends and strangers for donations, helped in raising about $25,000 for cancer research, compared with the $17,000 raised at last year's Relay for Life, said Laura Market, community development director for the American Cancer Society. About $4,000 was raised by 13 teams during the first relay in 2004.
"One guy actually raised up to $130 in an hour," said Katie Geiman, freshman head of survivorship and entertainment committee member.
But senior Emily Avery from the St. Francis of Assisi Church and Newman Center at Ball State went to another great length to help in the cancer-fighting effort: She shaved off all her hair to donate it to Locks of Love, which she announced during the event.
Between 300 and 350 people attended the relay, with music echoing across the field from DJs and live indie rock bands, including Thunderhawk and The Shake-ups. Members of about 40 teams, which included mostly Ball State students and faculty, pitched tents and took turns walking or running around the track for 12 hours.
The third annual relay was sponsored by Colleges Against Cancer, which aimed to celebrate cancer survivors, honor those who died and raise awareness about the disease. The event required about $2,000 in operating expenses, Market said.
A themed lap around the track took place each hour, with the first lap being dedicated to cancer survivors. Other laps included the backwards lap, crazy hair lap and crazy hat lap, Market said. A luminaria ceremony also took place to celebrate the fight against cancer.
"Most people have friends and family that have died or survived because of cancer," Geiman said. "So it means a lot more to them than other fundraisers."
Throughout the night, students enjoyed hotdogs, nachos and hot chocolate sponsored by Starbucks while playing games and sports such as limbo, a three-legged race and football, as well as American Cancer Society educational games about cancer.
"The weather was great," Geiman said. "It never rained and it was a perfect turnout. We had fun the entire night."
Market said she couldn't tell whether the Late Nite Carnival helped or hurt the event. However, a sumo wrestling helmet was stolen during the night, and the American Cancer Society is requesting that it be returned, she said.
"But [the carnival] did bring people through and got some good promotion for it," Market said.
Junior Tracy Banks, event co-chairwoman, said last weekend was her third year participating in the event, and she had great expectations for next year.
"My goal is to get the entire field and get almost double the amount of money raised this year," Banks said.
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
