Burgers, fries, and raising money for cancer research

Amid the hustle and bustle of holiday prep and shopping this past December, many stopped and took a few minutes to open their hearts and wallets to help SUNY Poly help in the battle against cancer, and enjoy a burger or two while they were at it.

On December 8, Five Guys Burgers & Fries in the Riverside Shopping Center in North Utica hosted a dine-in fundraiser in support of Relay for Life at SUNY Poly.

That evening, the restaurant donated 15% of all sales between 5-8 p.m. to SUNY Poly’s Relay for Life, which last year raised more than $19,000 for cancer research with its first-ever event at the Utica campus.

Relay for Life 2016 at SUNY Poly.

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, camping out overnight and taking turns walking or running, constantly moving and representing at all times throughout the event’s 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.

The students, campus community, and patrons raised $319.47 for Relay for Life at SUNY Poly with the evening’s fundraiser.