University News

WIU Relay for Life Honors Cancer Survivors, Caregivers

March 23, 2015

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MACOMB, IL – The April 2015 Relay for life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society and organized through Western's Colleges Against Cancer chapter, will begin with a celebratory lap by cancer survivors and caregivers.

The event, in the University Union Quad, near Hanson Field, will run rom 4-10 p.m. Friday, April 10 on the Macomb campus.

Anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer can participate in the Survivors Lap. As the survivors walk, other event participants will cheer them on in a demonstration of celebration and support.

The five-year survival rate for all cancers has risen to 68 percent, and there are an estimated 14 million Americans alive today who have been diagnosed with the disease.

The world's largest grassroots fundraising movement, Relay for Life, mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and provide participants with an opportunity to fight back against the disease. Relay has become a global phenomenon that brings together friends, families, businesses-people from all walks of life-all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society's vision of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

This year's event at WIU will also include entertainment, activities and the popular luminaria ceremony.

To register for the WIU event, visit relayforlife.org and search "Macomb." The registration fee is $10. Those who register can then add friends, family, co-workers, fellow students, faculty or staff members to join their team.

Survivors or caregivers who would like to take part in the event can contact Mallory Audo at Mallory.audo@cancer.org or call (309) 688-3480. For more information on the WIU event, visit facebook.com/RelayForLifeWIU, relayforlife.org/wiuil or email JE-Graham@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing