By Miki Onwudinjo, News Correspondent

Organizers of Northeastern’s first Relay for Life, to be held in March, said they expect to raise $80,000 for cancer research education and survivors. Relay for Life, a 12-hour overnight event, will be held March 27-28, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Matthews Arena.
NU’s motto for the event is ‘Lucky Number Eight.’ On top of the $80,000 raised, they hope to have 80 teams and 800 people registered.
‘This is below 100 and above 50,’ said middler nursing major Emily Rowen, a member of NU’s Colleges Against Cancer chapter, one of over 250 chapters nationwide.
‘Boston University raised this amount last year and included that same amount of people. Our goal is to beat BU and raise equal to or more than $80,000.’
Rowen and middler mechanical engineering major Aaron Gill hosted a birthday-themed Relay for Life kickoff in afterHOURS Sunday. The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) new slogan is ‘the official sponsor of birthdays,’ hoping patients will live to have many more birthdays, and afterHOURS was decorated accordingly:’ a cake, balloons and party hats for guests.
‘The American Cancer Society recognized our chapter of Colleges Against Cancer as so successful participating in the All-University Relay for Life at Harvard last year,’ Rowen said. ‘We brought close to 50 percent of the participants and raised $40,000. The ACS encouraged us to create an independent event.’
Before the relay, students can help paint the Curry Student Center windows purple on March 10. There will be a birthday celebration with activities, games, announcements, food, and a bone marrow registry.
Freshman finance major Tessa Komine said she heard about Relay for Life on Facebook. Having never participated, she eagerly signed up and is the captain of her own team, the Ballroom NUbies.
‘My grandpa died from cancer. I know it impacts my dad a lot and it has an emotional connection,’ she said.
Sophomore physics major Mat Chamberlain is also new to Relay for Life and the captain of his team, Husky Conquers Cancer.
Chamberlain, who said his next door neighbor died of cancer, said he hopes to gain a closer connection to his friends and raise a lot of money.
The event will feature Olympic-style games, prizes, food, and entertainment provided by NU’s own student groups such as Kinematix, a street dance group, Barkada, a Filipino cultural club and Northeastern Dance Company. Anyone who raises more than $100 will get a free t-shirt.
At the end of the kick-off event, middler business major Elizabeth Blair led a mock luminary lighting with glow sticks. Those relaying for loved ones were told to crack their glow sticks.
‘Most people know someone affected by cancer, and if not we are all affected, because we are all at risk,’ said Rowen. ‘People who relay once come back when given the chance because you really feel as though a community of people drop everything for one night to stand against cancer and show their support for those affected.’
About 50 teams are registered so far. Last year’s goal was $40,000. For more information or to register, go to www.relayforlife.org/neu.
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