Relay organizers double goal
Christina Santucci
Issue date: 4/19/05 Section: Arts & Society
For Relay for Life organizers Meg Orazio and Frank O'Driscoll, last weekend's event in Reitz Arena was a huge success, raising $76,000 -- $46,000 over their original goal -- with money still coming in. The total also places Loyola among the top 10 college fundraisers for Relay.
With over 900 students, faculty and administrators in attendance and about 20 cancer survivors participating, the turnout far exceeded expectations of the first-year event, organizers said.
And for Orazio and O'Driscoll, both freshmen, the relay will only continue to grow in coming years.
In total, 72 teams of about 10 participated, and "Chasing a Dream" raised $3,698, the most of any team.
Throughout the night -- even during the relay races -- one member of each team had to continue walking around the mini-track -- a ring set up on the borders of Reitz Arena. Meanwhile, other team members could participate in a variety of activities, catch up on homework or sleep so long as one person was moving. With food, music, games and mini-fundraisers like massages and manicures, participants stayed awake and entertained until the 7 a.m. finale when prizes were handed out.
Spirit award winners "CND for Life" were given a prize based on earning the most relay dollars during contests like wheel-barrel races and "inside-out" jogs.
At the end of the 12-hour relay, organizers spent over five hours returning Reitz to normal, but all of the work was definitely worth it, Orazio said. Aided by 13 committee members, 10 freshmen and three sophomores, the relay's organizers said they also had a lot of support from upperclassmen. Members of every class year attended the relay, and a majority of the freshman class participated.
At the outset of the Loyola event, organizers hoped to involve local colleges but later decided to keep the event to Loyola because they lacked transportation.
Orazio -- who raised the most individually -- said she originally became involved because her grandmother had died from cancer, and her grandfather was diagnosed with several forms of cancer previously and then again while she was organizing the event -- something she said made her focus more on the task at hand.
Orazio first participated in the Relay for Life at Fairfield High School in Connecticut, where O'Driscoll also became involved. O'Driscoll's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago.
With over 900 students, faculty and administrators in attendance and about 20 cancer survivors participating, the turnout far exceeded expectations of the first-year event, organizers said.
And for Orazio and O'Driscoll, both freshmen, the relay will only continue to grow in coming years.
In total, 72 teams of about 10 participated, and "Chasing a Dream" raised $3,698, the most of any team.
Throughout the night -- even during the relay races -- one member of each team had to continue walking around the mini-track -- a ring set up on the borders of Reitz Arena. Meanwhile, other team members could participate in a variety of activities, catch up on homework or sleep so long as one person was moving. With food, music, games and mini-fundraisers like massages and manicures, participants stayed awake and entertained until the 7 a.m. finale when prizes were handed out.
Spirit award winners "CND for Life" were given a prize based on earning the most relay dollars during contests like wheel-barrel races and "inside-out" jogs.
At the end of the 12-hour relay, organizers spent over five hours returning Reitz to normal, but all of the work was definitely worth it, Orazio said. Aided by 13 committee members, 10 freshmen and three sophomores, the relay's organizers said they also had a lot of support from upperclassmen. Members of every class year attended the relay, and a majority of the freshman class participated.
At the outset of the Loyola event, organizers hoped to involve local colleges but later decided to keep the event to Loyola because they lacked transportation.
Orazio -- who raised the most individually -- said she originally became involved because her grandmother had died from cancer, and her grandfather was diagnosed with several forms of cancer previously and then again while she was organizing the event -- something she said made her focus more on the task at hand.
Orazio first participated in the Relay for Life at Fairfield High School in Connecticut, where O'Driscoll also became involved. O'Driscoll's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago.