A night for the Kean community to encourage those living with cancer, celebrate survivors, and remember the ones who have gone too soon.

On Friday, April 10, 2015, from 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. members of the Kean community gathered together in Hardwood Arena to take part in Relay For Life, hosted by the Student Organization. “For the next six hours we will [come] together for the life of further journey, symbolizing the life of someone battling cancer; the disease that never sleeps,” said Michael Veltre, senior biology major and executive vice president of funded groups for the Student Organization.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay For Life was an overnight event that gave everyone the chance to celebrate, remember, and fight back against cancer. It is a team event where members take turns walking around the track. Each team had a table and an activity to help raise awareness about why they were participating. “Together we are going to continue this fight against cancer [for] that one day there will be no more cancer,” said Gerard Smithwrick, senior history major and executive president of the Student Organization.

This year’s Relay For Life theme was superheroes because the Student Organization believes that “You don’t have the be a superhero to beat cancer.” Throughout Hardwood Arena not only were there tables lined with different shades of purple, symbolizing the color of Relay For Life, but there were also superhero balloons around the gym and people wearing their favorite superhero gear as a reminder to those battling cancer.

Veltre and Smithwrick, dressed in a Superman costume and a cape, were the masters of ceremonies (MC) as they lead everyone throughout the night. As a tradition to kick off Relay For Life, a cancer survivor gets on stage and addresses the crowd. As Smithwrick said, “Survivors are our reason to relay…they are our living proof that cancer [is] defeatable.”

Megan Winey, freshman theater major, spoke as the cancer survivor for the night. “Hi, I’m Megan, I’m 18…and I have cancer, not had but have.” She described that when she was in high school she attended four Relay For Lives and she heard the stories about how people survived cancer but she never heard the stories of the people that were surviving cancer. Winey went on to say, “So many people my age and our age are survivors and are surviving [cancer].”

Last June Winey’s doctor discovered a lump on the left side of her throat.  She went for blood work, which came back negative, and an ultrasound that discovered a five centimeter cyst. She was told that it wasn’t cancer, “but…I decided to have the surgery against their advice and when they sent the slides in, it came back as cancer,” said Winey. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in October.

The event kicked off a with a survivor/caregiver lap, survivors leading the lap while others cheered them on. Survivors held their heads up because only the lucky ones can say they survived cancer. “I like to remind myself I am not just walking a survivor lap for me but for all the people that are not able to take home survivors,” said Winey.

It’s not an easy journey and it’s not fair for the ones that have to fight the battle. Cancer is a horrible disease that affects the lives of too many people. It is an everyday battle for those living with cancer. “When things get bad I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am one of the lucky ones and I get to spend every day of my life surviving,” said Winey.

Throughout the event there were themed laps, raffle drawings, and Fit to Be Kean (FTBK) sessions. DJ Wallah volunteered his time and provided the entertainment for the night. The National Anthem was performed by Smithwrick and Keani Esparra, a junior undecided major. After Winey spoke, Tashia Nicole sang the opening song. Music Café Band also had their chance on stage and performed a mixed of songs for the audience.

Caricatures, dodgeball, mechanical bull, Wii Just Dance, and calligraphy were all available for people to buy tickets and take part in. People could also refuel by visiting the food trucks and the concession stand. The night also included a superhero relay race, Simon Says, and musical chairs.

Some people that were not on a team still came out to volunteer their time because they understood how important the fight to end cancer is. Elizabeth Tolentino, sophomore chemistry major, was one of the many volunteering at Relay For Life. “Relay For Life means coming out to support people that don’t have money for everyday treatment,” said Tolentino.

Every person that attended Relay For Life was there for a different reason that was close to their heart. Ian Padua, senior studio art major and treasurer of the Otaku Anime Society (OAS), participated in Relay For Life because “One of my favorite, Colin Wyckoff also known by his channel, Kitty0706, recently died of cancer/leukemia. This [is] a chance to make people aware that cancer is still a very real thing [and] there's always going to be people to show their support.

Unfortunately not everyone is lucky enough to be able to call themselves a survivor. Far too often people leave their loved ones behind. Relay For Life is the perfect opportunity to remember them. Cancer is never going to win because Relay For Life is the chance to finish the battle of someone that passed away from cancer. “I joined to support my cousin who puts so much effort into planning and fundraising. I also joined to fight cancer because I lost my grandmother to cancer,” said Renee Bischoff, last year masters degree (M.A.) student majoring as a reading specialist.

The luminaire ceremony is the chance to remember all that have passed away. People write a message on a paper bag that is then place around the track with a candle inside of it. “Each one represents a treasured relationship. These lights glow bright for everyone to see but they glow brightest in all of our hearts…they represent our shared vision for a cancer free future. We love them, we remember them, and we fight back against this disease for them,” said Veltre.

Kaitlin Chieco, representative from the American Cancer Society, said, “The names on the luminaire bags that you see around the track are not just bags but those are people that have been affected by cancer.”

At the end of the event the Student Organization announced they raised a total of $16,746.44. They also explained that once they add in the extra rasied money from the night they will be over their goal of $20,000. The night sure was a night to remember. “It was a blast. Each year it gets better!” said Bischoff.

Everyone that gathered in Hardwood Arena that night was there for their own personal reason. Not only did the community raise money for an important cause but they had fun while doing it. “Cancer has taken so much from many of us but it has not stopped us from fighting, it has not killed our spirits, and it has not destroyed our hopes,” said Smithwrick.