Phi Theta Kappa Chapters Rally in Support of Relay For Life®
Michelle Forshner had two strong reasons to walk in a Relay For Life - her mother and Phi Theta Kappa.
Her mother has battled skin cancer three times, and had surgery just before the July Relay For Life event that Forshner, chapter president at Palomar College in California, helped organize. "Each of us at the Relay had either a friend or family member who suffered from cancer," Forshner said. For her, the Relay was "a way to help my mom."
Forshner applauds Phi Theta Kappa's continuation of the partnership with the American Cancer Society, through the 2004-06 International Service Program, Conquering Cancer: Continuing the Fight. "Cancer afflicts so many people - friends, relatives, distant relatives. The International Service Program and Relay For Life give all of us a way to help."
From California to Carolina, as far north as Minnesota and south
to the Florida coast, Phi Theta Kappa chapters have participated in
Relay For Life events, to raise funds for the fight against cancer,
to honor people affected by the disease, and to unite in a show of
faith that cancer will someday be eliminated.
Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society's signature fundraising event, brings community teams together to take turns walking or running around a track or a designated route. With events often lasting overnight, each Relay team has at least one representative on the path at all times. Teams solicit sponsor donations and may also take donations for luminaria - white paper bags lighted from within, honoring cancer survivors and those whose lives have been lost. Chapters also raise funds through other community events, such as bake sales, garage sales and car washes.
Phi Theta Kappa members not only fielded teams, but they also took active leadership roles in organizing Relay For Life events in their communities.
"We had an extremely gratifying experience," said Jonathan Watts, chapter advisor at Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee Campus. The Okmulgee chapter members were instrumental in planning their community's Relay For Life, chairing the committees overseeing the silent auction and activities for children and adults. Altogether the event raised $2,500.
Chapter members at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio, filled key positions in planning their local Relay For Life, which raised $37,500! The 15 members of the Phi Theta Kappa team netted $2,300, and Kyle Graham, past chapter president and event chairman, earned an internship with the local American Cancer Society office as a result of his involvement.
Relay For Life events began nearly 20 years ago, when one man accepted pledges and walked to raise money to support the efforts of the American Cancer Society. Today, it is the Society's largest event, involving more than 4,200 communities.
Learn more about Relay For Life by visiting the American Cancer Society's website at www.cancer.org. The American Cancer Society's e-learning network, accessible at http://sww.cancer.org/ is similar to an Internet-based college correspondence course. Complete the Relay For Life course at your own pace, and use the course as a reference document after completion.
