Relay For Life returns to ECC

Hundreds of Elgin Community College employees, community members and others will be walking and/or running to find a cancer cure during the annual Relay For Life, 5 p.m. Friday, June 12 to 6:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13 in the Student Resource Center parking lot, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

This is the seventh consecutive year the ECC Student Life Office hosts the relay - which raised $44,543 in 2008 and nearly $300,000 in total for cancer research, education, advocacy and services.

During the event, teams of eight to 12 people spend the night walking or running around the Resource Center parking lot relay style as teammates and others camp out, enjoy motivational music, celebrate those who have survived cancer, and remember those who lost their battle to cancer. Each team member raises a minimum of $100 to participate in the relay.

"Relay For Life brings the ECC community together to honor each person who has been touched by this disease," said Katie Storey, ECC's coordinator of student volunteer/community outreach programs.

Festivities begin with a reception honoring cancer survivors at 5 p.m. Friday. Opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. and include a cancer survivors' walk. At 9 p.m., ECC shuts off its lights, leaving dozens of luminaria glowing to honor those who are battling cancer and to remember those who have lost their fight. Luminaria are available for sale at $5 each and may be purchased by contacting the Student Life Office at (847) 214-7423.

To register a team for ECC's Relay For Life, walk in the survivors' lap or learn about event volunteer opportunities, contact Katie Storey at (847) 214-7659 or kstorey@elgin.edu.