Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 7, Issue 2, February 2003
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Local 'Relay for Life' events aid American Cancer Society
By MATTHEW PREUSCH
About 1.25 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed in America last year, and 500,000 Americans died of cancer during that time at a rate of nearly 1,500 a day. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in this country, after heart disease.
Those statistics come from the American Cancer Society. But the society has another statistic, this one more hopeful: 3,125.
That is how many communities take part nationwide in the society's signature event, the Relay for Life. This year, the Seattle area will host two relays. In North Seattle, a Relay for Life event will be held Saturday, March 8, at Husky Stadium on the University of Washington campus. The other relay will be held on May 17 in Shoreline.
Gordon Klatt, a Tacoma doctor, started the first Relay for Life in 1985, raising thousands of dollars in a 24-hour solo marathon.
Today, Relay for Life events now feature dozens of teams and elaborate ceremonies to honor the dead and celebrate survivors. The society says the charity event is the "largest non-profit activity in the nation." Last year, a Relay for Life event at Roosevelt High School raised $155,000 for the society.
So it comes as a surprise that no one at the UW had thought to tap its thousands of students, professors and doctors for some charitable lap-counting at Husky Stadium, even despite the fact that the society funneled about $4.5 million to UW researchers last year. Washington State University and University of Oregon already hold annual Relay for Life events.
But inspiration did strike last year, and Alison Ensminger, 20, a junior in the UW's international studies program, decided the school could support its own Relay for Life. Ensminger, a long-time cancer society volunteer, took her plan to the massive non-profit and asked for their help.
"They took my slightly crazy idea and said, We want to help you do this, we want this to happen," said Ensminger.
The relay works like this: teams of eight to 12 raise funds, or pledges, for their team in the months leading up the the event. Then, on the day of the relay team members take turns walking laps, and more laps, around a track, all through the night to the next day.
Ensminger is a member of the fledgling student organization called American Cancer Society at the University of Washington. She said she hopes to sign up about 25 teams and raise a total of 35,000 for the American Cancer Society.
But the relay is about more than money. It also features a Survivors Lap for cancer survivors, and candle luminaries across the turf at Husky Stadium to memorialize those lost to the disease.
"The relay, as much as it raises money, which is a key part, it's really more about honoring and remembering those who have won or lost battles with cancer," she said.
That is no hollow statement coming from Ensminger. In 1997, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mom survived, but Ensminger's mentor and tennis coach, who was diagnosed while Ensminger played in a high school tournament , lost his fight to cancer last March.
Searching for an outlet for her grief, Ensminger took an internship at the cancer society while still in high school. Then, in 2000, she helped plan a youth rally against the tobacco companies on the steps of the capitol in Olympia.
"It really brought home how cancer effects everyone and how you really can't get away from this disease and how important it is to be involved with invents like this," she said.
Annie Schmidt, who does outreach for the American Cancer Society in Everett, said the 12 students on the UW Relay for Life planning committee have drummed up a lot of attention for the event. She predicts at least 30 teams will participate.
"We have just gotten a wonderful response from the UW community for Relay for Life," much of it thanks to Ensminger, whom she knows from her days as an intern. "She's kind of transitioned to be this really amazing adult volunteer," said Schmidt.
An initial rally for the upcoming UW Relay for Life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park.
Regarding the Relay for Life event itself, Schmidt said the non-athletic should not be cowed by the UW's stadium venue, a frequent host to intercollegiate track meets.
"It can be for everyone. It's not an athletic event. You don't have to be athletic to be involved: no running," she said.
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For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 1-425-322-1132.