$19,000 raised by Relay for Life at SUNY Poly

More than $19,000 was raised for cancer research as the students of SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica held their first-ever Relay for Life event April 2-3.

Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through Relay for Life events and this year, one of those events was held right at Wildcat Field House.

Relay For Life teams camped out overnight and took turns walking or running around the Field House. Since cancer never sleeps, neither do the efforts of the teams, with participants taking turns to keep their team constantly moving and represented on the gym floor at all times during those 24 hours.

Throughout the event, participants and survivors celebrated what they’ve overcome, remembered those they’ve lost to the disease, and honored people who have fought or are fighting the cancer. The event aims to inspire those taking part to take action against a disease that has taken too much.

“This is really a student-driven event,” said Robert Elinskas, Director of Special Events for the American Cancer Society. “The students are the ones who have been taking on all the roles in this, from planning to execution. SUNY Poly should be very proud of what these students have accomplished.”