Annabelle Kong could have done anything to celebrate her last day of radiation for brain cancer Friday.
She chose to spend the sunny day sharing her story of hope against a disease that often leaves a trail of sorrow in its wake.
The dietetics senior was among an estimated 1,000 walkers who congregated Friday night and Saturday morning for the American Cancer Society's annual Relay For Life.
"It's been very touching to know you're not alone here," said Kong, who was diagnosed in 2003 and is fighting the disease for the second time this year. "On a beautiful day like today, it's amazing to see the turnout."
The relay, one of nearly 5,000 of its kind across the nation, aims to raise money for cancer research through donations and to bring together people affected by the disease.
Participants circled the track surrounding the field adjacent to Spartan Stadium, accruing money for each lap they completed throughout the night.
As of Saturday morning, MSU groups raised nearly $77,000. All the event's proceeds have yet to be tallied.
Lansing oncologist Jason Beckrow opened the program by sharing stories about his patients. An MSU alumnus, Beckrow entered medical school with a negative outlook on oncology — he was turned off by the amount of death associated with the field. But Beckrow's relationships with his patients led him to battle cancer professionally.
"My patients and I, we do bond," he said. "In my residency, I met some of those patients, and for me, we just resonated."
Beckrow said the relay can give people with cancer hope.
"No one can do this alone, and when you're here, you realize you don't have to," he said. "Anyone falls on this track, and there would be 15 people picking them up."
Jennifer Harper, a marketing junior who helped plan the relay, was one of numerous coordinators who participated in the Luminaria Ceremony. The Relay For Life tradition involves lighting candles inside white paper bags decorated to memorialize those who died from cancer-related illnesses.
Harper spent about 15 minutes lighting candles that spelled out the word "hope" across the bleachers alongside the track.
"Lighting the bags took a long time, but it was really cool standing up there and being able to watch everybody walk around," she said. "Everybody's been touched by cancer somehow, so it gives everyone a reason to give and make a difference."
This year, MSU Relay For Life organizers hoped to raise $85,000. Harper said the benchmark would place MSU among the top collegiate donors.
Last year, two MSU relays for the American Cancer Society raised a total of $235,000, with MSU Relay For Life contributing $83,000 to the total. The rest came from a relay run by the MSU greek community.
Combined, the donations placed MSU third among the colleges and universities that participated.
Coed Alpha Phi Omega collected donations in the weeks leading up to the relay, in addition to holding a 50/50 raffle and a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament there.
"It's a really good thing that we can come together for a cause," said Christine Lockwood, a communication junior and member of the sorority.
"A lot of people know about cancer research, but if you bring it to them and give them an opportunity to donate, that's really great that everybody can help."
