Help support patients at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and elsewhere by joining the University of Miami Relay for Life’s fight against cancer on the Foote Green from 4 p.m. to midnight on Friday, April 6, when the student-run organization brings together UM students, faculty, staff, and alumni to raise funds for cancer research and awareness of the types of cancer and their impacts. The funds help pay for patients’ transportation to chemotherapy treatments, wigs, and groundbreaking research.

Whether you’ve experienced cancer first hand as a survivor or caregiver, or would just like to see a world without this disease, your support is crucial in helping Relay for Life, which is supported by the Butler Center for Service and Leadership Development, reach its  goal. There are many ways that you, your colleagues, and department can join the cause:

• Create a team and help fundraise by registering online at relayforlife.org/umfl. Each team can have up to two team captains (including students, faculty or staff). The American Cancer Society makes fundraising easy with free, readily accessible tools for fundraising such as prewritten emails and social media posts.
•  Make a financial or in-kind donation for the event: Even if you don’t register, you can still contribute by making a monetary donation on the website. Money raised goes directly toward the University of Miami’s Relay for Life overall fundraising total. If you have a specific participant or team you would like to support, simply donate to their page on the website. Cash donations can be made through coordination with a Relay committee member or in person at the event.

Help make our event successful with the donation of an item or sponsorship. From the survivor dinner to team incentives, Relay for Life has all sorts of costs that can be offset with your support. Your support will help increase the money Relay for Life raises for the American Cancer Society. Donations of gift cards, event tickets, and services can be used as raffles and fundraising incentives throughout the event.

•  The Opening Ceremony for Relay for Life is at 4 p.m. on April 6

You and your colleagues are encouraged to stop by during the workday and come back with your families and friends in the evening! The entire event is a wonderful way to celebrate the lives of those who have fought cancer and remember those who have passed. Luminarias can be purchased in advance or at the event to dedicate to a loved one who has experienced cancer first hand. There will be lots of food and activities available for participants and guests of all ages and plenty of opportunities to get involved on the day of the event. Let Relay for Life know if you can stop by the event. 

If you or a loved one are a cancer survivor or caregiver and would like to walk with us during the event and join us for a free dinner afterwards, please email [email protected] or call/text Noureen Ahmed at 772-249-9297.

Over 600 members of the University of Miami community participate and help us lead this fight against cancer. Last April, we came together and raised $38,700.90 and hope to fundraise even more this year with your support. To learn more about the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser and register today, please visit relayforlife.org/umfl and click on Join this Relay.