HU Hosts Relay for Life

Hampton, VA -Hampton University will host a Relay For Life awareness event to benefit cancer survivors on Saturday, March 27 at Armstrong Stadium on campus. In its fourth year at HU, the event raises money to assist local cancer patients and their families.

Nationally, the event is designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs for the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps around a track. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times to symbolize that cancer never sleeps. HU’s event will go from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. Survivors and their caregivers will be recognized at a special campsite from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the event.

Last year teams raised $5,500. So far this year, $1,240 has been raised. The university’s School of Pharmacy and Student Leadership Program (SLP) are among the school groups who’ve led fundraising efforts. Other fundraisers are a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and an SLP party the week of the relay.

“Realizing the difficult economic situation, we would love to raise around $5,000 this year,” said HU Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Assistant Professor Valerie Burge-Hall, an event organizer. “We really want all to come out to support this Relay For Life awareness event. Cancer impacts 1 out of 3 adult women and 1 out of every 2 adult men during their lifetime. This means we most of us know someone who has heard, ‘you have cancer.’"

Cancer survivors and people who want to join the fight against cancer along with HU are asked to visit www.relayforlife.org/hu or contact Burge-Hall at valerie.burge-hall@hamptonu.edu or 757.728.6994.