Brandeis’ 10th Relay for Life raises more than $40k to fight cancer

Photo/Tucker Yates

Relay for Life attendants light candles in solidarity with cancer patients and survivors during a part of the event called "luminaria."

The Brandeis community joined together in the fight against cancer for the 10th year in a row on Saturday, March 18 to. Hundreds of students, faculty and staff participated in the Relay for Life, an annual fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, inside the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center.

This year, 663 people participated in Relay for Life and raised $46,880. Over the course of the decade since Brandeis first hosted the event in 2007, more than 6,300 community members have raised $606,955.

Attendees completed a series of laps around the Gosman running track, a gesture known as the survivors’ or caregivers’ lap. Walking around the track is a symbol of solidarity for cancer patients. A member of each group in attendance was asked to be on the track at all times, a symbol of patients and advocates not backing down to cancer.

Aaron Louison ’11, a cancer survivor, served as the Relay for Life keynote speaker and shared his experiences as a cancer patient, emphasizing how the support of his loved ones aided him in his recovery.

“What my cancer diagnosis taught me is that life can get cut short and you should live to the fullest every day,” said Louison, who is the director of annual giving at Brandeis. “It taught me the value of friendships and how important it is to surround yourself with positivity.”

“It taught me the importance of helping others,” he added. “Some struggles in life are far too big to be dealt with on your own and acts of kindness, no matter how small, can make a huge difference.”