Relay for Life unites communities throughout the nation to help find a cure for cancer

Sofiya Lavochina

Staff Writer

Relay For Life is a nonprofit organization that donates all profits to the American Cancer Society.

Pierce’s Phi Theta Kappa is introducing this relay as a way to give back to the community and show that this college does not only care about students but also about community.

“I’m excited because this is the first year Pierce College will do this,” Zoila Pina, Omega Theta vice president, said.

“I’m excited to see what the outcome is going to be and how much money we can donate to this cause,” Pina added.

Every year in Pierce County the foundation attracts people from the district to a single location where the walk for a cure begins.

This year the walk will be held on June 22 at 6 p.m. through June 23 at 6 p.m. in the Puyallup Sparks Stadium.

Pierce College already established a hard-working relay team

that will represent this division, but more students are still being recruited to join.

“Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way or another,” Pina said.

Relay for Life is something Pina wants to establish as a Phi Theta Kappa tradition.

The goal is that Relay for Life or some other type of cancer awareness activity will be passed down from officer to officer in the following years.

“[The walk] is something that can help every person in some way; it gives [cancer survivors] inspiration and motivation to keep going,” Pina said.

“Plus it makes them look forward to something fun,” she added.

Phi Theta Kappa will provide everything from food and drinks to entertainment in order to keep the participants up all night.

Another thing that will be taking place is a competition about the most creative booth throughout the relay.

They will also have a luminaria ceremony where a white luminaria bag (paper lantern) will be transformed and illuminated af- ter dark at every local Relay For Life event.

Each bag is personalized to represent a person affected by cancer.