Relay for Life

The achievement that the Tikkun Olam/Hillel team made this year was nothing less than incredible in the 3 weeks the team was together. Creating a team, with only 23 days until Relay for Life, Nicole Wasilus, and Justin Taylor were highly motivated to get people involved in this amazing event. Participating in online and downtown fund-raisers, the team gave it their all in the few weeks they had to reach their team goal of 1,000 dollars. With a team of only 15, the outcome was truly remarkable.

Rain didn’t stop the Tikkun Olam/Hillel team at Relay for Life 2011. On Day one of Relay the team arrived at the AG fields excited and ready. Even with difficulties setting up the tent and keeping it dry, the team was enthusiastic with high spirits. The rain subsided Friday evening late, but the amount of mud was tremendous. With cars getting stuck, mud covered shoes, and drenched clothes, walkers kept going to continue in the fight against cancer. Mud overtook the site, making walking for 24 hours even more difficult, but nothing could stop the supporters. Friday night went off with a bang, with bands playing late into the evening, teams grilling warm food by their campsites, endless amounts of purple cupcakes being eaten, getting beads every 4 laps (to make bracelets) and people donating their hair to cancer patients. The Overall for Relay for Life Nicole Leo, shaved her head in honor of her mother who has cancer. She said she would do it, if she raised 1,000 dollars, and she did. The Luminaria ceremony took place last Friday evening. Speakers and a slide show in honor, memory, and support of loved ones, brought tears to the crowd. The word “HOPE” was lit up bright at the stage, and “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back” was the motto of the weekend. Following the emotional ceremony, there was a glow stick rave to keep the energy high. Late into the night, events such as “Relay Idol” and a viewing of Finding Nemo had the participates excited in the 30 degree weather.

Saturday morning, you could tell people were in it for the long run. Participating in raffles, Car Smash fundraisers, a volleyball tournament, and a numerous amount of activities. Starbucks, McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts arrived early in the morning with coffee, breakfast sandwiches and donuts. Walking the Mud covered track, was no easy
task, but during every hour, there were always people walking. The Tikkun Olam/Hillel team, walking in their matching red bandannas found excitement from games like Bop-It and Catch Phrase while they walked. The team was overjoyed and was excited to see how much their team raised by the end of the weekend. Finding out that it was 3,500 dollars!!!! brought such happiness to our team. This amount was all thanks to the hard work of the members, and of generous family and friends. Throughout Relay weekend, the overall committees made sure that everyone was having a good time, and had everything they needed. An amazing DJ kept the music going, the entire time, so that walkers always had some tunes. Over 15,000 people participated in Relay for Life this year, and the total amount raised surpassed last year, with 97,880.95 dollars!!! All the money raised goes to the American Cancer Society. Although the weekend was rainy, very muddy, and a bit chilly, that didn’t stop The Tikkun Olam team or anyone else from supporting the fight against cancer.

Overall, it was a great experience and we hope to do it again next year! Thanks to everybody on the team, and to all the committees for making it such a memorable event!