What would you do if you wanted to fundraise and bring awareness to a personal battle?
Dr. Gordon Klatt decided to walk.
Relay for Life unofficially began in May of 1985 when Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt decided to spend 24 consecutive hours walking, jogging, and running around a track to raise money for the American Cancer Society. His experience battling stomach cancer fueled his desire to finish his 24-hour goal, and though some would consider these hours grueling and nearly impossible, Gordy saw this as an opportunity to challenge cancer; he decided to never stop moving. Just as cancer doesn’t stop for a break or time-out, Gordy decided he wouldn’t either. Little did he know that his countless laps would evoke such a large response from others around the nation and around the world.
Dr. Klatt finished his own Relay for Life raising $27,000. The following year, in 1986, the first official Relay for Life was established where nineteen teams gathered at the Stadium Bowl in Washington state to relay in the hopes of finding a cure for cancer. They raised $33,000, and that number has only continued to increase throughout the years. According to the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, regardless of what city or country hosts the event, always revolves around the same goal: to “remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society make a global impact on cancer.” Today, Relay for Life spans across the nation and throughout 27 countries.
Dr. Klatt died in August 2014 from heart failure. However, he will continue to be honored as each Relay for Life occurs, living through his work and goal to inspire change in others and the medical field with the symbolic event held across the world.
Northeastern University hosted its ninth annual Relay for Life event in Matthews Arena from 6 p.m. on March 23 to 6 a.m. on March 24. Karen Smyers, professional triathlete, 18-wheeler accident survivor, hamstring injury survivor, and thyroid cancer survivor spoke to start off the night of laps, activities, food, and support for all of those affected by any form of cancer.
Afterwards, survivors and those still fighting their cancer battle were asked to take the first lap on the track. As each person’s name was called, applause roared in the arena. Once the first lap was finished, everyone else was invited to begin walking. As the music started and the laps continued, feelings of immense support and hope filled the arena. As the event continued and the night hours prevailed, the natural darkness symbolized the feeling of fear people diagnosed and their families feel. At midnight, volunteers lit Luminaria bags (paper bags weighted with sand and a lit candle), which were previously decorated in honor of someone who has died, currently battling, or overcome their battle with cancer. Participants walked the Luminaria Lap in silence to honor those lost and to promise that no one is alone in their battle with cancer. The change in emotion offered space to mourn, to release any frustration, to reflect, and to acknowledge the all-encompassing, cruel nature of cancer.
Relay for Life is designed so each person can walk as much, or as little, as they please, with the intention of forming a team so one member of the team is always present on the floor. This teamwork exemplified Gordy’s motto and dream for everyone to support each other in the active fight against cancer.
This year, our campus had a total of 111 teams, 2,651 individually registered participants, and six companies involved, raising over $243,000. The event’s Monopoly theme added a fun twist and encouraged people to donate a few dollars in exchange for “Relay Bucks” to play “Hope-opoly” games. There were also sponsored activities from Power Crunch, 5-Hour Energy, and Hippeas, as well as a dance performance from Northeastern’s Revolve team. The representation from on-campus clubs and organizations was prominent, but it was more inspiring that the event spanned beyond the Northeastern student body to include Boston community members as participants as well.
“Relay For Life provides a space for students, survivors, and local companies around Boston to come together as a community to fight cancer,” fourth-year behavioral neuroscience major and president of Colleges Against Cancer at Northeastern Anusha Din said. “In particular, we launched a campaign last year to raise $37k in 37k seconds along with BU and BC because that is approximately the number of people that will be diagnosed with cancer in MA in a year.”
It couldn’t be more clear at this event that everyone was standing in solidarity, standing against cancer, and standing in the hope to eradicate this horrific disease. People walked for a multitude of reasons: in support of family and friends, in support of themselves, in honor of someone they knew that has passed, and in support for the cause.
Third-year biochemistry major Jes Stelluto shared, “Cancer influences me really personally. My aunt has battled cancer throughout her life,.” third-year biochemistry major Jes Stelluto shared.
Second-year pharmacy major Samantha Carleton attended the event as part of her extracurricular organizations.
“My pharmacy fraternity is tabling a slot, and I also dance with the Revolve group and we’re going to perform,” Carleton said.
Regardless of the reason, people came to make their presence known that cancer will not win the battle.
Sadness, determination, hope, and many other emotions naturally revealed themselves during the event. It was a place participants could be raw and vulnerable, knowing they would be met with endless support and hope from others. Third-year political science and economics major Hridayam Agarwal volunteered for her second time for Relay for Life to support the American Cancer Society.
“American Cancer Society does more than funds cancer research — they help cancer patients with daily life,” Agarwal said.
The recurring theme of ongoing encouragement and belief in a victory over cancer has expanded from the American Cancer Society to millions of people through the event of Relay for Life, and it does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. As cancer continues to be an incurable force in the world, people are ready to rally behind the fight.
As Smyers said at the beginning of the night, “You gotta want it,” and the want and drive within the Northeastern and greater Boston community is a powerful force to go up against.
Cancer, you should be scared.