ECC sponsors annual Relay For Life

Submitted by ECC

Hundreds of Elgin Community College employees, students, and community members will walk to raise money for cancer research during the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life from 6 p.m. Friday, June 8, to 6 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at ECC.

The event will be held rain or shine in the college’s Visual and Performing Arts Center and Spartan Events Center parking lots, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

This is the 10th consecutive year the ECC Student Life Office hosts the relay, which has raised more than $400,000 for cancer research, education, advocacy and services.

During the event, teams of eight to 12 people spend the night walking 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 the disease.

“Relay For Life brings the ECC community together to honor each person who has been touched by this disease,” says Katie Storey, ECC’s coordinator of student volunteer/community outreach programs. “The support for this event grows stronger each year.”

Festivities begin with a reception honoring cancer survivors at 5 p.m. Friday, June 8. Opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. and include a cancer survivors’ and caregivers lap. At dusk, the college shuts off its lights, leaving hundreds of luminarias glowing to honor those who are fighting cancer and to remember those who have lost their fight.

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.

Luminarias are available for $10 each and may be purchased by contacting the Student Life Office at (847) 214-7423.