Cornell hosts Relay For Life to raise funds, awareness for fight against cancer

MOUNT VERNON — The American Cancer Society’s 5th Annual Relay For Life at Cornell College begins with the opening ceremony at 8 p.m. Friday, May 11.

Students from Cornell and participants from the Mount Vernon-Lisbon community are expected to walk or run around the indoor track at Cornell’s Small Multi-Sport Center until 8 a.m. Saturday, May 12. Money raised by 41 teams – 21 with Cornell students, six of Cornell faculty and staff, eight from area schools and six from the community – will help finance cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. The fundraising goal is $40,000.

Survivors will be honored Friday in a service that includes a survivors’ lap, special speaker and luminaria ceremony, starting between 8:30 and 9 p.m. With the theme “Everyday Superheroes,” the 12-hour event will feature entertainment, games and educational materials focused on different “heroes” in the fight against cancer, from health care providers to researchers.

For more information about Cornell’s Relay For Life, to donate money or volunteer for the event, go online or call Cornell’s Civic Engagement Office, (319) 895-4003.