Relay for Life leaders took to the stage, ready to rally the inspiration.
The crowd stood, unactivated glow sticks in hand, ready to stand together and remember the loved ones they lost to cancer.
The leaders called out to the crowd, asking those who had lost family members to crack their glow sticks, illuminating the room with hope and remembrance.
In the end, they all had someone to relay for.
In what is believed to be the biggest Relay for Life on campus, Spartans Fighting Cancer organized the event that ended up hosting more than 3,000 participants on Friday.
“It takes more than one person to fight back and find ?the cure ... the entire student body comes together for one reason and (it) is to fight against cancer,” Spartans Fighting Cancer President Annah Bravo said.
This is the first year for MSU and greek life to partner ?in organizing the Relay for Life event, which went on from Friday evening to Saturday morning. This year’s event included the participation of 30 fraternities and 14 sororities.
For Greek Week co-director Tony Biallas, the reason ?for greek life participating annually is because, for many, the disease hits close home.
“Not only to greeks but ?to everyone, cancer affects so many of the people around us and our loved ones,” Biallas said.
Marketing sophomore Alison Wilson agreed with Biallas.
“Everyone has had problems involving cancer, and it’s really important to get together,” Wilson said.
Biallas said members of greek community raised $159,729.57, accounting for 70 percent of the revenue of the event, which totaled $228,115.85.
“Relay for Life is a big part of our Greek Week and is something that we all support,” Biallas said.
For elementary education senior Emily Brooks, her participation in the event this year was more meaningful than ever before.
“I really wanted to be a part of it since it’s my senior year, and in general it’s an exciting year,” Brooks said. “I did participate last year, but from the Greek community not everyone was required to participate ... you needed 20 people from each team,” she said.
Brooks, who is part of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, said what makes the event special ?is the high number of people who attend and show their interest.
Relay for Life included a series of events including dance shows and the highly-anticipated Luminaria ?Ceremony, where participants light luminaries to remember their loved ones.
