Relay for Life

Samantha Gitmed (president) and Meranda Homan (sorority member)
 Photo by Ashley Alonzo

Ottawa's newest Greek life has done it again. Sigma IOTA partnered with the American Cancer society to organize a relay with the purpose to remember the people who died of cancer, celebrate those who have survived and to raise money to help the fight against cancer. 

The Relay for Life will be held April 17 at the People’s Bank Field, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The opening lap will start at 3 p.m., and once it begins to get dark, there will be a luminaria ceremony. 

Since this relay will be a six-hour event, it does not require its participants to run the entire way; participants can walk around, participate in the activities organized and donate at the carnival booths. 

Samantha Gitmed, Sigma IOTA president and Relay for Life organizer, also prepared luminaria bags to be placed around the track and lit during the luminaria ceremony. 

“Anyone can buy the luminaria bags. They are only 10 dollars each but are dedicated and in memory to represent a strong connection with those who are fighting cancer, and those who were lost because of cancer,” Gitmed said.  

There is not a last day to sign up for the Relay for Life. Instead interested people can either sign up during lunch hours at the cafeteria or at the event, and even online at relayforlife.org/franklincountyks.

If any participants are interested in signing up online, the page will redirect the users to Franklin County’s relay. The page gives the incorrect date and location. However, the participant’s information will be transferred to Ottawa’s relay.     

Gitmed invites everyone who are interested to participate in a good cause, especially teams on campus, because although this event is open to the community, and the woman’s soccer team is already volunteering, any other help will be well-appreciated.