Relay for Life's 1,585 participants raise $165,571.72

Fetzer Field was the site of a different kind of battle for about 20 hours this weekend as the UNC community gathered in opposition of a common enemy — cancer.

UNC’s Relay for Life drew 1,585 participants, raising $165,571.72 for the American Cancer Society as of Sunday night. Its annual event took place throughout Friday night and Saturday as participants walked the track for a cure.

6 p.m. — opening ceremony

Relay for Life kicked off on Friday with a speech from Matt Redinbo, a chemistry professor at UNC. He has researched how to block the harsh side effects from CPT-11, a potent treatment for colon cancer.

“For us who do basic science, we rely on (donations) to improve patient outcomes,” he said.

After the opening ceremony, cancer survivors took a lap. Jamie McGee, UNC Relay for Life entertainment co-chairwoman, helped schedule entertainment acts that performed continuously throughout the event.

“Relay for Life has been the highlight of my Carolina experience,” McGee said.

Tents and tables were set up around the track to sell food, paint faces, decorate paper hands for encouragement and even sign up to donate bone marrow.

9:30 p.m. — Luminaria Ceremony

The Luminaria Ceremony gave participants the opportunity to decorate white bags in honor of those who have fought or lost their battles with cancer. The bags were illuminated with candles, and then everyone took a silent lap around the track while songs were played on bagpipes.

Junior Emily Kosmala spoke about her little brother’s fight with cancer in 2007 and 2008 to open up the ceremony. Andy had a malignant, inoperable brain tumor when he was 12 years old.

“Brain tumors were stuff you read about in ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ though, right?” Emily said. “I have three little brothers. All of a sudden, one had a brain tumor.”

But Kosmala said Andy took his treatments with grace and politeness.

“His appetite, stimulated by the steroid-radiation combination, was best satiated by hot fudge sundaes and outings to the Red Lobster in Durham,” she said. “He took positive delight in selecting the biggest, meanest lobster from the tank.”

Andy lost his battle with cancer on May 9, 2008.

“We can all learn from Andy’s experience,” Kosmala said. “It’s our job to pass this knowledge on. We have to be disciples. We have to honor Andy’s strength by being strong.”

Eyerusalem Tessema, executive director of Relay for Life, said the Luminaria Ceremony is her favorite part of the event.

Midnight — Miss Relay Pageant

Males dressed up as females and competed under their given stage names wearing costumes.

Tessema said one contestant was dressed in a purple glittery bikini and a pink tutu and rode around on a unicycle.

“It’s like tradition,” she said. “Everyone expects it — it’s just really funny.”

1:30 p.m. — closing ceremony

Participants honored those who have died of cancer and attended the closing ceremony Saturday, where the final amount raised was revealed.

The ceremony also honored some fundraisers, including Bill Kalkhof, who raised nearly $10,000 this year and has raised close to $100,000 since 2006.

Tessema said Relay for Life is touching because of how it brings people together.

“Everyone is letting go and showing their true colors,” she said.

“Whether we like it or not, everyone there has been affected by cancer.”

Contact the desk editor at university@dailytarheel.com.