Nearly a thousand footsteps on the floor of Alumni Arena began the 12-hour stride against cancer at the American Cancer Society's (ACS) Relay for Life this past Friday.
Following thanks from representatives of the ACS, UB basketball head coach Reggie Witherspoon took the stage alongside UB's mascot Victor E. Bull to kick off the relay.
Witherspoon explained how the Relay for Life at UB challenges the stereotype of self-centered college students.
"It shows you care," Witherspoon said.
The relay began with the Survivor Lap, which was reserved for those in attendance who had won in their personal battle with cancer. The crowd parted to honor the ten present survivors as they made the first steps.
"We try to keep everything surrounded around the survivors throughout the entire night," Noviello said.
Survivors wore purple Relay for Life shirts and consisted of members of the student body and faculty.
"We found it's really hard at schools to get survivors because college kids feel awkward about coming out in front of their peers," Noviello said. "It's hard to get faculty members because they feel kind of odd with all the college kids around."
One of the key intentions of Relay for Life was to provide a common ground for people whose lives had been affected by cancer.
"It's a comfort zone for them to come into something where they're actually honored for what they've been through," Noviello said.
Along with games, food and entertainment, each team that participated in the relay was given a portion of the gym floor to make into a campsite.
A live DJ and performances by local bands Phantasm and The Common Kings kept the crowd awake all night.
"The highlights were the little moments when people were just having fun and were really relaxed," Noviello said.
The event was paid for by corporate sponsorship and donations along with support from UB. Each team entered in the relay was sponsored by friends, family, organizations and businesses in order to raise money for the fight against cancer.
"Pretty much everything that we do is based on fundraising," Noviello said. "We're always raising money within the relay."
This is the third year Relay for Life has taken place at UB. Since its introduction to the campus, annual attendance has increased by more than 400 participants, providing students with a fun experience for socializing and leadership opportunities.
"There's more relays than McDonalds in the U.S. right now, so it's grown tremendously," Noviello said.
The relay is required to last 12 to 24 hours so that the event will take place overnight. The idea behind this standard is simple.
"Cancer never sleeps and neither will we," said Tami Gabri, director of special events for the American Cancer Society's Western New York Region.
One of the most touching parts of the event, according to Noviello, was the Luminaria ceremony. With the lights of the arena dimmed, special white bags with candles inside were lit while a slideshow of photos honoring cancer victims played at the front of the room.
"The Luminaria ceremony is the reflection part of the night that remembers everybody that's lost the battle with cancer and those still fighting it," Noviello said.
Current totals of funds raised through UB are near $40,000, and the American Cancer Society is accepting donations to Relay for Life through August.
