Students organize first ‘Collegiate Relay for Life’ in Alaska

ANCHORAGE — On April 5, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves will change their colors from green and gold to purple as they host Alaska’s first Collegiate Relay For Life.

Students from UAA are helping the American Cancer Society celebrate its 100th anniversary and creating a world with more birthdays. In the last 100 years, cancer has gone from terminal to treatable.

Relay For Life was launched in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., by Dr. Gordy Klatt to raise funds for research, and has spread to more than 5,000 communities and 25 countries globally.

The UAA inaugural event is at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex from 8 p.m., April 5 to noon, April 6. A luminary ceremony also is planned to remember those lost to the disease and those fighting and living with cancer. It is a reminder of hope and part of the event you don’t want to miss.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity, held in communities across the state and globe to celebrate the lives of those who have survived cancer, remember loved ones lost to cancer and fight back against a disease that touches Alaska harder than any other state. Alaska is the only state in the U.S. where cancer is the No. 1 cause of death. In Alaska, one in two men and one in three women are affected.

This student-driven event is a first for Alaska. It’s also special that the first year takes place during the 100th anniversary of the American Cancer Society.

Student and faculty teams are gearing up for a night at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex April 5-6. So whether you can come for one hour or the entire event, support the UAA students and faculty. Come to celebrate, remember and fight back. If you can’t attend, you can still donate online at relayforlife.org/uaa.

UAA students and faculty from all areas of studies will gather and have been raising money that will directly impact and help their fellow Alaskans who have heard the words “you have cancer.”

The money that these incredible students raise — many of them students from the Valley — will go to help pay for the 3,333 online visits made monthly to cancer.org to get information when they or someone they know hear the dreaded words “you have cancer.”

Cancer treat,emt is not just about the patient, but for the caregivers, family and friends as well. Cancer.org and the (800) 277-2345 number is for them, too. In Alaska, an average of 974 people each month use the online resources at cancer.org to get information.

Funds that these philanthropic University of Alaska Anchorage students and faculty raise will help with the 100 calls each month from Alaskans to (800) 227-2345, where they can talk to a trained Cancer Information Specialist who can offer information, answers and support to those who call any time, day or night.

The UAA Relay For Life community would like to thank the administration and all involved to help make this event a success. The Mat-Su Relay for Life committee would also like to thank Mat-Su College Director Talis Colberg for allowing the Mat-Su Relay For Life Committee and teams to meet monthly at the Mat-Su Campus while preparing for their June event.

For more information, visit relayforlife.org/uaa or call Larissa Villar at (907) 277-8610.

Sarah Robinson is the district executive director of the Alaska, Great West Division of the American Cancer Society Inc. Larissa Villar is the community relations manager for the Great West Division of the Alaska, American Cancer Society Inc.