College Students Lend New Start To Fundraiser
University Group Organizes Relay For Life
Last updated Saturday, April 12, 2008 10:45 PM CDT in Our Town
By Antoinette Grajeda
Special To The Morning News
FAYETTEVILLE
The Relay for Life of Fayetteville was all about new beginnings this year.
The annual American Cancer Society fundraiser provided a new start for the cancer survivors and a new start for the relay itself.
This year, the Fayetteville relay was organized by the members of Colleges Against Cancer. The new University of Arkansas organization is an American Cancer Society program whose Fayetteville chapter is one of nearly 200 across the country, according to the group's Web site.
Junior and Vice President Chaney Prock said the turnout at the university's HPER building was small because the event was brand new.
"Even though it's small, it's a good group of people and they have high energy," Prock said.
One of the night's participants included junior Steve Sparks, event chairman as well as the founder and president of the Fayetteville chapter of CAC.
Sparks said he started the 110-member registered student organization because of his family's history of cancer.
"My grandpa died of colon cancer when my dad was 17," he said.
When Sparks was 15, his own dad was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer and the experience was startling.
"It's kind of scary," he said. "It's like oh man, I hope it doesn't happen to me."
Six years ago Sparks' father underwent surgery and chemotherapy to get rid of the cancer, which hasn't returned.
The UA junior got involved with the Relay for Life because of his family's history with cancer. He said watching his father participate in his first survivors' walk was a moving experience.
"It was pretty emotional," Sparks said. "I didn't expect it to be like that."
In addition to its own survivors' walk, the Fayetteville relay included Rock Band, hot wing and Twinkie eating contests, casino hour, bingo and the Mr. Relay pageant.
While the evening was full of entertainment, Sparks said it was also about celebrating those who have survived cancer or are still fighting it.
Cancer survivor Sherry Gilbertson attends the event annually as she continues to battle cancer and said that people should help however they can.
"Not everyone has money, but they can show support," Gilbertson said. "That's important too."
Some survivors said that showing support can be difficult for others if they aren't cancer survivors as well.
"Unless you've had cancer, you don't know what they're going through," survivor Nancy Hafliger said.
Relay participants, including Hafliger, commented that one of the worst parts of the cancer process was chemotherapy because it is debilitating.
"I don't wish that on anybody," she said. "It's rough".
For those currently dealing with cancer, Hafliger's advice was to ask questions, seek asecond opinion and have a "no-quit" attitude.
"Don't give up, don't give up," she said. "There's something new out there everyday."
After raising more than $7,000, Sparks is already looking to next year's relay. He said he plans to get the city as well as the UA Greek system more involved. He also wants to raise awareness about colon cancer and other cancers "you don't hear about that still affect people."
The Relay for Life season is just beginning, and the next fundraiser is scheduled for May 16 at John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
At A Glance
American Cancer Society
The next Relay for Life is May 16 at John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
For more information about the local chapter of the American Cancer Society call 750-2493 or visit www.cancer.org.
Source: Staff Report
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