2008 Woodie Awards
Cancer research benefits from clubs' fund-raising
Esteban Silva
Issue date: 2/11/05 Section: News
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The Beatles, KISS, the Beach Boys, Ella Fitzgerald and other renowned musical artist look-alikes may be walking the Amarillo College Washington Street Campus this April.
Phi Theta Kappa will sponsor the 2nd annual Amarillo College Relay for Life in conjunction with the American Cancer Society on April 8-9. This year's theme will be bands.
Relay for Life is the signature fund-raising event of the American Cancer Society. Proceeds go to fund cancer research, advocacy and support services throughout the country, said Becky Valdez, a longtime American Cancer Society volunteer.
Becky Robinson, chairwoman of the event, emphasized how far-reaching cancer is. "It is a disease that truly touches everybody," she said.
"Almost everyone has been affected, either directly or indirectly, by cancer. We're just trying to stop that from happening."
Robinson said she hopes funds raised for this year's event will surpass the $6,000 raised during last year's inaugural Relay on the East Campus.
During the event, teams of participants try to keep at least one member walking or jogging on the track from 5:30 p.m. until the end of the relay at 7 a.m., Robinson said.
"The idea is that cancer doesn't sleep; neither should our fight against it," said Candice Randolph, an advertising/public relations major and teams coordinator for the Relay for Life.
"We are really looking to get a lot of people out for the event."
Thor Hanks, an engineering major, has chaired the registration committee for two years.
"It's a great opportunity for the community and organizations across campus to engage in a service project that will benefit more people than any single campus group can do on its own," Hanks said.
Despite the seriousness of the event, Randolph said the committee members create a theme for each Relay and try to find ways to make it enjoyable and entertaining for participants.
Last year's theme was TV sitcoms. "We had everything from 'That '70s Show' and 'ER' to 'Flipper' and 'Gilligan's Island,' Randolph said.
"It was great. With bands as the theme this year, I believe it will be quite amusing."