The University of Toronto Scarborough will host the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life for the first time this spring.
The Relay for Life is a 12-hour celebration of survival, fun and fundraising. It is an annual event that takes place across Canada in the form of a non-competitive relay race that brings together cancer survivors and supporters alike to help beat cancer. The teams consist of 10 participants who take turns to walk, stroll or run in an all-night race.
The event is scheduled to be held on March 30, 2007 starting at 7 p.m. and is spearheaded by the Organization for the Promotion of University Spirit (OPUS). This student organization is dedicated to enriching student life here at U of T Scarborough through extracurricular events connecting the campus to the community.
Although participation in university communities in the past has been moderate, OPUS event organizer Antonine Henwood says, “We hope to break that mould by planning a large scale event. We are aiming for an attendance of 5,000 people this year”. With teams of 10 participants pledging $100 each, OPUS looks to raise $500,000 from the Scarborough community.
Antonine, a second-year student in neuroscience and French, says her personal interest in this event stems from the OPUS mission to “promote university spirit. I was intrigued by the idea because I could relate to the need for such a club here on campus.”
The Relay for Life takes place in the Highland Creek valley, where OPUS plans to set up a temporary running track for the event. The race begins with cancer survivors doing the opening lap as a demonstration of their success. OPUS looks forward to the participation of all members of the Scarborough community, other universities and especially any cancer survivors or anyone currently undergoing treatment to help raise funds for cancer research and support.
To register or for further information please email: opus@utsc.utoronto.
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Swetha Chirravur is a fourth-year economics and English student at U of T Scarborough. She is currently doing a work-study placement on campus in Marketing and Communications.