"Where would you turn if cancer touched your family?" asks an American Cancer Society flier, nudging the reader to give some thought to the families affected by cancer, to give some time to offer help and to give some hope through financial support of cancer research and prevention. Ferris State University staff have been giving all three-thought, time and hope-through an annual Relay for Life.

Bigger Than a Block Party
The American Cancer Society calls Relay for Life "a really fun, really big community slumber party and great fundraising event, a huge compassionate support group, a place where friends, family and loved ones can come together to celebrate survivorship and to honor those who have lost the battle to this dreaded disease."
In Big Rapids, the September event gathers caring community people around the old high school football field and track to spend 24 hours walking, remembering and celebrating life.

"There's a carnival atmosphere," says Jan Eckert, 1997 captain of FSU's University Advancement & Marketing (UA&M) Relay team and co-captain with UA&M's Mary Kay MacIver in 1998.
"It's really a lot of fun," Eckert continues. "Kickoff is on a Saturday at noon, with a 'survivors' walk. All teams have a banner and, carrying that banner, they walk the first lap of the Relay behind those who have battled cancer and won. After that, you keep at least one person from your team walking the track during the next 24 hours."

Walkers have gathered pledges and have committed to walk during specified time slots prior to the event.

Honoring the Lost and the Living
At 9 p.m. luminaries begin to encircle the track as candles are lit and names read aloud in memory of family members who have lost the cancer battle and in honor of those who have survived. Everyone walks the track during this part of the event.

"The luminary ceremony is one of the most touching events I've ever been involved with," says Wanda Turner, professor of Management and College of Business Relay team co-captain with Chris Vodry, Secretary Level III, and John Montgomery, associate professor of Marketing. "Unlike the other Relay events where all kinds of activities are going on, this one is extremely moving and very quiet."

Entertainment acts and a disk jockey help to keep walkers awake during the late night and early morning hours. Off-duty walkers catnap in their tents or snack on pizza from a concession stand.

After Sunday morning church services and clean-up of the grounds, Relay for Life ends with all volunteers joining in the final lap.

Making It Personal
"In the Relay for Life, you learn so much about what is being done for cancer," says Eckert. "You listen to the testimonials of people who have battled cancer or are related to someone with cancer. It becomes very personal, and you really feel like you have made a contribution that matters."